ART - CHASING THE NEW
Mike Barr's painting titled 'Wednesday Showers'
Art - Chasing the New (Blog by Mike Barr)
'The art world is forever reaching for the next new thing from the next new exciting artist. Like most things though, stuff gets reborn from that which has existed before. As someone once put it – “there is nothing new under the sun”.
If you are an old movie buff from the 50s and 60s, you’ll notice a lot of modern looking art on the walls. It fascinates me more these days than ever. Similar art is being produced today that existed in essence back then – but somehow, it’s now new and fresh!
Of course, it doesn’t just apply to art. Things like films, music and clothes all have re-makes of more modern versions of the oldies. It seems the trend of old becoming new again is happening much quicker than it used to!
But back to art. I still remember seeing the first photos in school textbooks of the cave art found particularly in France. If they were to be reproduced today, they would be considered as contemporary art! The beautiful-ochred paintings would find a place in many modern homes and fit in nicely with the décor.
About a decade ago, drips of paint on works became popular again and still is, but it had been going for many years. Jackson Pollock who was not the first to employ it but certainly the most famous, used it back in the 40s and 50s. The famous Blue Poles was painted in 1952!
What does it mean for artists though – should we always be looking for that elusive new thing? I say, let the museums and government art galleries chase after the new.
Most of us are looking for art we like and that’s the stuff that we buy for our homes. As artists it’s important to paint what we enjoy – whatever style it is. If we enjoy it, it’s almost a certainty that someone else will.
The passion will shine through.
So, what about that art installation of an emptied rubbish bin on the floor – is it art? Is it the next new thing? One thing is for sure – it’s a pile of rubbish on the floor.
Quality will always be appreciated.
Happy painting!'
- Mike Barr