An Artist's identity- A Necessity or a Social Need?
As someone who loves way too many things in life, when I started art, the question of being a "serious" artist came to mind often. The delay of sharing my art with the world, by saying first I need an identity, I need a consistent style- even today, on insta, the fact that my posts aren't cohesive (when it comes to art subjects and styles) has been a sore point that creates stumbles on this journey.
So what exactly does make an artist- do we need painfully curated consistent identities? an art style that defines us? Is that something artists choose or is it presented to us as a choice conditioned by the art market?
Honestly, I'm still figuring out the answer to these questions myself- I do think that there is an immense pressure to curate an identity and I also think that sometimes the identity is the natural progression and assimilation of all your identities that reflects in your art ultimately!
As someone who loves history, mythology, fiction & fantasy books who studies cultural law and heritage studies and has done music training- creating a specific identity in art feels next to impossible.
The works I show on insta are a part of my art world - they're my mini arts and small conatined worlds - where I try to invoke feelings through my art. I've come to realise that this is part of my artistic identity- The atmospheric emotion my art contains - in whatever format- the magic, the myth, the whimsy, the wonder- that's what I want to deliver. It is not my subject or my art style - it the expression of imagination- even if it is just making a very ordinary object seem a little surreal or nostalgic- that is my art.
Super funny part- turns out I have more simultaneous identities in art- the cultural law and study gremlin in me loves making works that center on mythology, on cultural examples, on history- the works that are so different than my current insta ones but are equally part of me -you'll definitely get a glimpse of that through my posts! I will be doing a whole separate blog for that art world of mine. Just gonna give you a sneak peak- with these eye of horus watercolour gifts I made for my closest friends last year:
There will be many views on this question of art identities- all I say is that I find myself less concerned with it for now.
I have in front of me a blank canvas and a world of imagination and colour and limitless possibilities for wonder. So that's what I'll keep doing ✨
PS: All my views are simply opinions and not meant to hurt anyone! Would love to hear and discuss other views as well✨❣️