Eternal Love

Friday I visited the BYU Faculty Art show in the Harris Fine Arts Center. After seeing the show, there were a couple of artworks and many questions on my mind. One of the artworks in the show that stuck with me was Eternal Love, by Dan Barney. Yes, I'm related to him...but not by blood and even if I wasn't wearing his wedding ring I'd think this piece was amazing.
I have a list of characteristics by which I judge artwork. For instance, does the artwork address complex and important subject matter? To me that is one of the things that gives a artwork relevance. I want an artwork to make the world a better place by provoking thought, teaching or elevating. Eternal Love prompted thoughts about love and the process of undoing and doing. Because of this artwork I am provoked to contemplate significant ideas.
I believe this artist's intentions were to give or share with the viewer as opposed to impressing or elevating himself. Sincerity is so important in my judgment. I like artwork to be challenging and complex and I also respect artists who don't rely on shock value or determined meaning that is inaccessible to the viewer.

Craft is also important to me. I respect good craft, especially when it is out of my reach. I sew a bit and I am awed by the skill required to sew bound pockets. I want an artist to be accomplished in his or her technique.

A quality that is a bonus, but not necessary, is that this artwork required the viewer's participation. To learn about it, I had to work. Eternal Love has a human heart and the words, "eternal love" embroidered on the outside of a taut,white, fabric panel with two pockets. In one pocket I found a seam ripper, in the other a golden thread and needle placed in a little jewelry box. I got to probe for the information the artist offered and was rewarded for my effort.

Finding artworks that are unique and original are rare. I search for them. It seems that most artwork that I come across is a repeat of a style or idea that has been executed many times before. I have been thinking about this a lot lately, why artists choose to the images, styles and processes that they do. I call it the bird painting syndrome. On the Internet I come across one bird painting after another and many merely seem to be using the bird a trendy symbol when it has the potential to be so much more.

I have high expectations and I'm a harsh critic. The thing is, I approach my own artwork in the same way. I continue to work hard at my craft and I expect that of others. I want my own artworks to be to thought provoking, unique and accessible. I want to contribute to the world not just fill in with more things. Those expectations are noble but at the same time, it's usually serendipitous when I do an artwork that meets the expectations that I strive for. In the mean time I enjoy the process and challenges of creation and delight in finding it in other's work.