#11/2019
TOPIC OF CONVERSATION #4 OF 2019
In an interview given by Brené Brown, she hit the spot when she said “stop grading art in school.”*
Because the decision of whether an art piece is good or bad, or that a person is or is not an artist, is generally based on personal preference that is install influenced by biases, which makes grading actually impossible.
And so, the ramifications of grading art in school goes beyond just a grade.
When one channel of creative energy is squashed, the effect is not isolated. Art is one part of the human process of imagination that is intertwined with all creative and innovative visions and ideas.
Like many of the industries WOM has looked at, the art industry is also plagued with the unfortunate gender biases that lead to inequality. And this is not only about artists. The inequalities are also engrained in the institutionalised system of the entire industry.
* listen from 1h14-1h19.
Because the decision of whether an art piece is good or bad, or that a person is or is not an artist, is generally based on personal preference that is install influenced by biases, which makes grading actually impossible.
And so, the ramifications of grading art in school goes beyond just a grade.
When one channel of creative energy is squashed, the effect is not isolated. Art is one part of the human process of imagination that is intertwined with all creative and innovative visions and ideas.
Like many of the industries WOM has looked at, the art industry is also plagued with the unfortunate gender biases that lead to inequality. And this is not only about artists. The inequalities are also engrained in the institutionalised system of the entire industry.
* listen from 1h14-1h19.
Women in Art
Let’s first start with a history of women in art, in a published article in partnership between the Khan Academy and Tate.
Female-only galleries - not the answer but one step
|
Though the answer to changing the current norm may not be segregation and affirmative action such as the establishment of female-only galleries. What these actions do create is the ability to take a step in cracking the present in order to shift the existing process, thinking, habits and so on, so that a new, more reflective norm can be created.
The Finkelstein Gallery is one example working towards shifting this process. It’s establishment is not considered an end or solution but a means to the bigger picture (no pun intended). Coming from 15 years of experience in the art industry, Lisa Fehily has seen how female artists are overlooked. Artists face similar issues as authors when it comes to recognition, in which a lot depends on competitions and awards. If their names aren’t being put forward then it is less likely they will be noticed. |
Courtesy of the National Museum of Women in the Arts
|
The industry as a whole
* The art industry is not only about the artists, it also encompasses all those involved in it. This industry reflects many similarities with the publishing industry in which most of the non-leadership roles (i.e. professional art museum staff) are carried out by women with men taking the leadership ones (i.e. directorships). Yes, there has been (slow) change if one looks at the United States, but this change is exaggerated when the reality is that the women taking on more museum directorships is occurring mainly at the small budget museums.
* The same article also helps understand the intricacy of the art industry because it is a lot more complicated than it sounds. For example, an artist’s work is affected by the role of auction history as regards the artist’s value, and this is tightly linked to museum acquisitions. And since most purchases made are works of male artists, this means most gifts to museums are male artists works, further reinforcing the valuation of male artists.
* Have a look at the interesting facts published by the National Museum of Women in the Arts, drawing results from an array of resources.
* The same article also helps understand the intricacy of the art industry because it is a lot more complicated than it sounds. For example, an artist’s work is affected by the role of auction history as regards the artist’s value, and this is tightly linked to museum acquisitions. And since most purchases made are works of male artists, this means most gifts to museums are male artists works, further reinforcing the valuation of male artists.
* Have a look at the interesting facts published by the National Museum of Women in the Arts, drawing results from an array of resources.
And like many of the industries addressed in past newsletter topics of conversations…
Courtesy of the National Museum of Women in the Arts
|
the differences in the number representation between academia and the industry, continue to demonstrate something is not right in the system.
(MFA = Master of Fine Arts) |
A little something extra - when artificial intelligence meets art
Combining the last topic of conversation, artificial intelligence, with art and you get an incredible art exhibition. But what is even more important is the effect this exhibition has had on behaviour as their art resource (ImageNet - a photography database used by researchers to train AI systems) has taken action to make positive changes
And something to think about
What if we banished names and labels? What would happen? Would student grades change? Would someone else be hired?
Is it possible to achieve neutrality when we use words such as artist, chef, author, CEO, doctor and nurse?
Is it possible to achieve neutrality when we use words such as artist, chef, author, CEO, doctor and nurse?
Please note all infographics used on this page are courtesy of the National Museum of Women in the Arts and can be found by clicking on this link.
Published in September 2019.