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What contemporary artists are teaching me

Lately I’ve been researching and learning from contemporary artists. And I’ve realized that each one I’ve observed has taught me a unique and vital lesson without even realizing it. 

I’m still discovering new artists I’ve never heard of, but here are the lessons I’ve learned so far.

Willem De Kooning taught me that a painting doesn’t have to be pretty.

Especially looking at Woman IV (which in my case brought out fear and emotion): it is a wretched depiction of a large busty snouted figure, made with scratchy charcoal marks and frustrated brushstrokes. Nonetheless it is a touchstone piece of post-war art and hangs in the Museum of Modern Art today.

Alberto Giacometti taught me to encapsulate my own vision of what things are.

Most people recognize Walking Man II and his frail shadowy thinned figure. “He attempted to create renditions of his models the way he saw them, and the way he thought they ought to be seen.” 

Matthew Barney taught me that no one has to understand my art

 Drawing Restraint 9 or any one of the Cremaster films certainly prove to contain a prominent message or meaning. In fact they are extremely confusing! The silent drawn-out scenes are supposed to convey a violent and sexual theme. No characters are introduced and there is no story line. But yet Barney is applauded for brilliant work and has accumulated several awards.