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These Articles are written for the Cook Islands News, the daily newspaper of the Cook Islands.
Judith Kunzlé 1994
Judith Kunzlé 2006
What motivates artists to produce works is different for every artist.
For many it is the desire to develop ideas visually, by way of designing, painting, carving, drawing, sewing , etc. For others it can be the search for the self and their belonging, to affirm and define their identity. As mentioned in the last article, the community also has a role to play, with encouragement and support. But what influence does public success really have - or the lack of it?
As children we draw, paint and put together what interests us, without caring too much about what others think of our artistic endeavors. Later, as beginning artists, we lose this confidence and feel that we have to have a practical reason for doing artwork, be useful, make sense, etc. Fortunately, no matter how much we try to be reasonable and please others, our own talents and personalities will still be seen in the art works.
The cat called inspiration
Early success can be a mixed blessing: although at first it gives confidence and can be a driving force, it can also channel imagination and make it difficult to keep in touch with and pursue an independent motivation.
It’s important for an artist to be able to show his/her works, essential to sell to have an income, and it feels wonderful to get good feedback.Isn’t being a successful artist the ultimate goal? Well, yes, but the thing is, art doesn’t happen at the point of sale, and it’s not always done with the observer in mind. Instead, most artists work in privacy or even solitude, because their creative spirits and imaginative resources are like cats: they don’t always come when you call them.
Almost all artists start out by applying their talents to things and themes that are striking and typical of their environment, depicting the obvious beauty of culture and nature. After several years of working, the selection of topics and the treatment of subjects and symbols gradually become more searching and independent. As an artist gains experience and becomes more confident with her/his methods, new ideas will be sparking. This is the inspiration-expression spiral: new ideas need new techniques and skills, and the acquired skills facilitate the creation of original ideas, and so on...
Article 1:
The Success Story of Cook Islands Art
Article 3:
Art Critique
Article 4:
The Origin of Abstract Art
Article 5:
What's the Story
Article 6:
Decorative
...or deep and
meaningful?
Tim Manavaroa Buchanan 1994
Tim Manavaroa Buchanan 2004
Changing perspectives
It is interesting to observe the development of artists, and compare their early works with later ones. Some artists work through many different subjects, while others explore fewer themes more thoroughly. But there is always progress of methods and techniques: you can’t avoid getting better if you keep doing something.
The development of personality and changes of perspective throughout life become evident in an artist’s works. Although the artist is always closest to his/her most recent creations, the observer might feel very different, and relate better to the earlier works than to the usually but not always, more abstracted later works.
Style and diversity
Considering that all artists are working through their varied personalities, the diversity of art and the different art forms in a community reflect its attitude, spirit and tolerance. It has sometimes been suggested that it would be beneficial if the visual artists united to create a ‘Cook Islands style’ to represent the local culture. Can and should art be guided like this?
It certainly helps to study the history of culture and art, and be informed about what has been achieved by other artists. Artists also influence each other, which is part of a learning process. But most of all, they are influenced by the environment and community they live in, and no matter how individualistic artists may be and work, the world they live in will always have a strong impact.
In this respect, style, either personal or cultural, does not need to be consciously cultivated; in fact, the imprint of personality, community and culture can’t be avoided! All art produced here reflects and expresses aspects of the local and social environment.
– Judith Kunzlé, April 2006
Joan Rolls-Gragg 1994
Joan Rolls-Gragg 2005
Judith Kunzlé 1994
Judith Kunzlé 2006
Article 1:
The Success Story of
Cook Islands Art
Article 3:
Art Critique
Article 4:
The Origin of Abstract Art
Article 5:
What's the Story
Article 6:
Decorative
...or deep and meaningful?
