Wednesday, October 16, 2013

One thing after another

Busy, busy week. I have had two meetings this week, got a flu shot and continue to get things ready for the Open Studios this weekend.

Today's meeting was the Portland SAQA group meeting and we talked about writing artists statements, which is one of those chores, necessary for exhibits and such, but daunting. No one likes to do it. After the discussion I came home and wrote mine. How do you like it?

Terry Grant

Terry Grant (°1946, LaJunta, CO, United States) is an artist who works in a variety of media. By focusing on techniques and materials, Grant makes work that deals with the documentation of events and the question of how they can be presented. The work tries to express this with the help of physics and technology, but not by telling a story or creating a metaphor.
Her artworks are notable for their perfect finish and tactile nature. This is of great importance and bears witness to great craftsmanship. With Plato’s allegory of the cave in mind, she absorbs the tradition of remembrance art into daily practice. This personal follow-up and revival of a past tradition is important as an act of meditation.
Her collected, altered and own works are being confronted as aesthetically resilient, thematically interrelated material for memory and projection. The possible seems true and the truth exists, but it has many faces, as Hanna Arendt cites from Franz Kafka. By contesting the division between the realm of memory and the realm of experience, she considers making art a craft which is executed using clear formal rules and which should always refer to social reality.
Her works are an investigation into representations of (seemingly) concrete ages and situations as well as depictions and ideas that can only be realized in art. Terry Grant currently lives and works in Portland, OR.
Ha ha! I didn't write that. There is a site called "500 letters" where you fill out a short form and it will generate an artist's statement for you. I was somewhat hampered because it didn't offer fiber as a medium choice, so I chose "variety of media." I thought it did quite a good job—totally incomprehensible. But, seriously, I need to write a more realistic statement. That is our homework for next month's meeting.

I am trying something for the Open Studio that I have not done before. I had giclee prints made from three of my favorite Twelve by Twelve pieces to have for sale. I can offer something small and inexpensive ($16) as well as having my original work displayed and for sale. I ordered the prints from a Canadian company and I am really pleased with them. The paper and ink are archival and the color looks perfect. The paper is thick and creamy and the prints are beautifully detailed. I don't know if anyone will want something like this or not. It was not a huge investment to find out.

I am mounting them on black mat board and signing them. I will wrap them in cellophane to protect them.

23 comments:

  1. Your reproductions look amazing. What is their process? I guess you had to part with the originals to get this done or were you able to photograph them locally?

    ReplyDelete
  2. I was just about to grab the comment section and yell at you for such pretentiousness in the statement when I realized that all those 4 syllable words seemed familiar- I had used that generator for some laughs too! Too funny, especially coming from you! And I love the giclee prints- they sure captured the 'fabric-look' perfectly! Good luck, bet they all sell out!





    ReplyDelete
  3. That statement was perfect art double-speak, almost totally incomprehensible. Perfect for all the artsy-fartsy shows! LOL I'm glad you're going to write a real one. I like to know about "real" people!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your artist statement was very interesting. I'll be checking out that website! I also love the giclee prints and would be interested in buying the crow print if possible. I know you are getting ready for your open studio so I understand you might not be able to do this soon. My son teaches guitar in VA and always teaches the Beatles' Blackbird. I thought this would make a great and meaningful gift for him. Please let me know if we could work something out. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous5:36 AM

    I'm certain the Artist's Statement you write will be much better!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I would love a print of both Frida and the black bird to hang above where one of your birds sits in my studio - after Open Studio (I don't want to delete your stock beforehand), if there's some left, please let me konw how to get one. Also - share the name of the Canadian company - it's hard to find a vendor you trust for printing; I'd like some of my photos done. joappleton-----at------att.net

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous6:22 AM

    Your Giclees look beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  8. How funny! I really tried to figure out how any of that related to your art and was mystified!
    I think your giclee prints are a great idea and will a big hit. I'm sure many people who can't afford your bigger works (or have spent all their money before they got to your booth) will love them! I'll be interested to hear how they sell.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Terry,
    For future reference . . . clearbags.com sell bags that are used to protect prints (and other things) . . . much easier to use than cellophane and more professional.
    Max

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am so glad you did not write that statement! I was reading it and thinking "too much". Sounds like those artists that try to impress people with fancy words but then you have no idea what they are trying to say.

    The giclee prints look great (do you have the company name or link?). I think people will buy them.

    ReplyDelete
  11. LOL! I started reading that and I thought what the h---! You crack me up.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Lol...love the art speak and the total silliness that some take so seriously.

    I think your prints, rock!

    ReplyDelete
  13. What was the turn-around time on those giclees, Terry?

    ReplyDelete
  14. I started reading the statement and thought - this isn't Terry at all. very confusing. Such a relief when I scrolled down further! LOL
    Sandy in the UK

    ReplyDelete
  15. I too was of furrowed brow trying to figure out what that statement meant! She does...what?!?

    See you Saturday - DIBS on the crow and the bee!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Whew! I was relieved that you didn't write it...after just finishing one for myself that could not be over 50 words, I was "have I gotten dull minded or what is she saying exactly?" while reading this one.

    ReplyDelete
  17. For a moment there I thought you'd lost your mind

    ReplyDelete
  18. Funny! I got part way through and was totally lost. I think the prints are a great idea, be interested to see how they go.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Julie9:48 AM

    Please share how to order the giclee prints from you. I'd love the crow print.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Your artist statement was hilarious; my eyes were starting to glaze over. I'm so glad it wasn't for real! Love the giclees, especially the black bird. If I came across it in my travels, I'd definitely buy it. I dislike going to shows/studios where everything is out of my price range.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi, Terry! I'd like to buy a giclee or two of yours, also! Keep me posted once they are for sale. They look gorgeous, and as I can't afford to buy a piece of your original art right now, that would be the next best thing! I'd also be interested in knowing who you used and what you thought; I've considered doing this with some of my work, also. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Well played Terry, well played. I was concerned about what you guys might have been discussing in your SAQA meeting because that statement was about as anti-you as it could be.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Well played Terry, well played. I was concerned about what you ll may have been discussing at that SAQA meeting as your statement was about as anti-you as possible.

    ReplyDelete