Wednesday 28 August 2013

Revolution vs evolution.


Among many anecdotes ascribed to Picasso, one is applicable to discussion we will have here. One rich woman got her painting done from Picasso and as usual he charged a big amount. The rich lady exclaimed, “ you painted this in 20 minutes!!!” Picasso is to have famously said, “ But my dear, it took me 20 years to paint this in 20 minutes.”.

Now whether Picasso said this or any other master; mind you it has to be a master artist to say such a profound thing so simply; it is a truth that art is not a practice aimed at a revolution but at evolution.

One of my dear non artist friend, was skeptical about my evolution as an artist over the years. I didn't defend myself that much, but it made me think. First what he meant by evolution and what exactly artist is looking for in his/her trajectory. Off course I came out of my sadness which arose from his remark by; maybe falsely; deciding that he meant a revolution rather than evolution. But leaving aside my personal ego clash here, we need to think about what an artist aims? And I need to admit from personal experience, and what all my friends always talk; it is a revolution one is aiming or dreaming.

Each artist, especially not so successful ones, always dream of that masterpiece or that new style which he/she will suddenly come across; that it will dazzle the art world at least,if not the whole world. At the least his circle? And it also stems from the fact that he/she is so sure of the God given talent he/she has, that there is no doubt that sooner or later the revolution is bound to happen.

AWAKE O PAINTER.... of landscape in particular too. There is no revolution happening. At least without any outside help which is more of marketing strategy! If we are to be honest and really wish to do justice to that talent we have in varied quantities, then we have to go in for the idea of evolution. Work, work regular and work with intelligence. I wont say a lot of work, which is also delusional many times. But with intelligence. And that aspect is more applicable to representational artist than abstract painters. But ironically we find it other way round.

A representational artist has his/her set of problems which are apart from the lack of gift; which is common and a separate issue. A representational artist needs to work on many things like not imitating and many others, which we have discussed before. But he has to be on guard, against hard work without intelligence more; especially when he is sure that, this is just practice for bigger thing coming after that revolution! He feels like a party worker, who may rule as a minister, once the regime changes!

No. She needs to work, think, introspect, criticize her work herself and work over mistakes and errors. He/she needs to see long term and be realistic about today and not assume that a change is bound to be there. More so when material success is not in sight. Rather he/she needs to assume that no sudden change will come and he/she will need to strive for improving his/her art... all the while knowing the world NOT that unfair as it seems!

All this psychological lecturing is not much to do with 'act' of painting per se, but with what happens inside the mind of a painter or any creative person and what may lead to stagnation despite working positively. So trudge the path with hope but leave aside delusions. Take care! God bless you the artist in you :-)