I had a discussion today about artist statements and the fact that artist often feel that their work should speak for itself and that writing statements is academic and not worth the time.

I both agree and disagree with this opinion.

I think being able to write and speak about your artwork is an art in itself. As an artist who has struggled with writing statements and discussing my artwork outside of critique environments I have to say that getting over oneself and looking objectively at ones artwork is both critical and beneficial.

That being said, writing an artist statement that reflects the complex thoughts, emotions, time, and energy put into an artwork or series is difficult at best.  However the upside potential for growth and understanding on the part of both the artist and the audience outweighs any obstacles one might encounter during the writing process.

The reason artist statements exist is because it is impossible for the artist to be present at all times in all places their work is being shown.  Statements provide additional information, support, and insight into the artwork displayed and should be consider an important aspect of the overall experience.

In all art there is a discourse and conversation that occurs between the artwork and the audience.  Artist statements whether you despise or adore them are just another piece of the puzzle.

**The following interview was conducted via email with artist Shannon Molter regarding her current exhibition – Origin Story at the Tenth Street Gallery**

JA:       How important do you feel the narrative is in contemporary society?

SLM:   Narrative is exceptionally important in contemporary society.  It is easily seen throughout our world and is deeply ingrained within our minds, constantly being considered and being put into practice.  For example we all have a personal story.  It includes the setting in which we grew up, who our parents were, how we were raised by them or someone else, what has happened to us directly and in society during our lifetime.  The narrative is a fascinating starting point for investigating culture and society.  Humans in the time before written history often shared a collective story.  It explained how they came into existence and what they were alive to do.  But, contemporarily, we tend to view ourselves as singular from the whole, favoring our personal story, and more easily separating our actions from the influence they have on the world we share.

JA:       How important is the individual story vs. the collective?

SLM:   The importance of the individual story v. the collective depends on the context.  I might ask, what is the setting of the story?  Perhaps if an individual story could have profound significance to the whole, it would be quite important.

Yet, if the collective story is ignored, horrendous damage is likely to be done, as we see in countless examples of colonization.  That said, one should not generalize a culture or individual as right, wrong, bad or good, but impactful in proportion to the breadth and salinity of the message in said story.  I feel the individual story can become somewhat self-important unless used in the situation of an example or comparison brought to attention for the sake of the “greater good.”

JA:       Are you concerned with the legacy you will leave behind, your impact on this world?

SLM:   I am concerned about my impact.  But more often I worry about the legacy being built by the society I belong to.  It is easier to change and build your individual legacy, but much more agonizing to try to change your culture as a whole.  Though human, I do my best to make positive impacts on my fellow species, but am constantly correcting and educating myself.

JA:       If you could be known for one thing, what would it be?

SLM:   Eep!  I suppose I hope to be inspiring.  To be a teacher.  Not in the traditional school setting, but simply living as an example.  I want to help others to open their minds and see themselves as powerful capable beings by being that kind of person myself.  I can see no greater achievement than energizing the potential within others.

JA:       If all stories (both written and especially oral) are a mixture of fact and fiction then do we ever really know the truth about anything other than that which we personally experience firsthand?

SLM:   Well, following Descartes’ logic, how can we know that even what we experience firsthand is the truth?!  People often mistake what they perceive as truth, but truth is simply what we believe.  The story can be based in reality or built upon fiction.  It can be told orally with as much truth as the written.  But the purpose of any story is in what the reader (listener) learns.

That is why I call this project Origin Story.  Like any aboriginal story built around major animal protagonists, living environments and secondary human roles, this story may not be classified as either entirely fiction or nonfiction, but it could cause the reader / viewer to interact with their world differently after experiencing the story.

JA:       You talk about the desire to consume within The Black Mare, is that desire the fate of all humans?  To constantly be focused on the future forgoing the present for dreams of tomorrow?  Is there free will, or are we fated beings?

SLM:   The Black Mare is the allegory I have invented to help consolidate evils in the world.  If instead of being constantly torn between equally important causes and specifically, environmental battles, we could focus on the collection of wrong-doings as one character, she may be simpler to comprehend and bring to a close.

The desire to consume discussed is a product of humans, a cycle we have programmed into our own minds over centuries.  As a result we cannot easily break away from this craving; she is the Black Mare.  Because we humans are also a species belonging to the ecosystem, having an influence on and belonging as much to other animals as we do to ourselves, I do not believe it is our natural desire to over use our “resources” (brethren).  It is actually a result of hundreds of years of civilized evolution.  We have unfortunately forgotten how to live any other way.

My hope is that we are not fated beings.  We are certainly intelligent enough to acknowledge the relevance of our actions, but are not plainly asked to do so often enough.  If real changes thinking and patterns of behavior are not altered, we will fulfill the Black Mare’s desire and lose out on the possibility of another stage in human evolution.  The one that sees us return to nature with respect and foresight.

JA:       Do you feel urban sprawl and development is having a negative effect on the mindset of our youth – not allowing them to grow up in a world connected to the earth?  Do you feel people that have grown up solely within the confines of a cityscape are missing an essential link to mother earth and nature?

SLM:   I worry that children who have not had the opportunity to enjoy the landscape when they are young will feel distant from it, or not belonging to it.  They may even feel scared of it or deterred by its wildness.  I don’t think anyone is missing the link, but many have buried it in the basement of their thirty story apartment building.

I have heard many kids in my teaching experience, talk about hating to go outside because of tiny set-backs like insects or not wanting to sit outside because grass is itchy feeling.  I believe these avoidance’s are because of a lack of exposure and positive experiences.  But they could be easily mended!  Taking a lovely walk in the woods or picnicking with favorite foods in a canoe are both examples of ways to feel close to nature and repair the broken relationship.  I also hope that just because adults are enamored with the building of subdivisions, children will not be convinced that it is the right thing to do for the environment.

Shannon Molter: Origin Story is on display currently at the 10th Street Gallery through May 27^th.   

As the cool crisp night air swirled outside a small group of patrons gathered inside the cozy venue at the 10^th Street Gallery/ InTandem Theatre to view, “Who Does She Think She Is?” a film sponsored by the local Guildess organization.

The hour long film illuminated the lives of 5 woman artists from different backgrounds who utilize the various mediums of sculpture, painting, drawing, printmaking, and performance art to illustrate their passion to succeed and discussed the challenges facing them as contemporary woman artists.

Following the film there was an intimate and laughter filled panel discussion with two local artists, Kari Garon (whose work is currently on display in the Gallery) and Susan Buss who presented the perfect complement to the film as they talked about the balance between motherhood, life, and keeping a structured creative process each day.

The video was well produced, flowing seamlessly to highlight the struggles the artists had in breaking down the old stereotypes and social norms surrounding women and their role in society as strictly a homemaker. It also focused on the injustice facing women artists everywhere, as major museums and institutions world-wide have generally ignored their contribution to the contemporary art conversation, rarely showing their artwork. In spite of these, there were other obstacles, but the artists persevered and unified to become a collective of strong and gifted individuals determined to overcome any obstacles. The film was brilliant, and it reminded me of how important the influence of great woman have been over the years to the art community.

They say that: “behind ever successful man is a great woman.” I think it’s time we defy this mentality and strive to empower, and to support the woman in our lives that are making a difference in the world. These talented women are like muses, as they possess the drive, desire, and dedication to change the world socially and consciously. Their passion will ceaselessly inspire generations of artists and community activists.

The next film in the film series, “About Women, By Women,”  Maya Deren: Experimental Films will be showing June 12^th at 7pm at the 10^th Street Gallery.