Sometimes I find it hard to let go of old ways of thinking. I have done it in the past, because my work now does look different to how it did a few years ago, I am able to move on, it’s just that sometimes it’s difficult to let go of the comforting things, where you feel secure, and where you feel you know what you are doing.
But… in order to make progress you do have to let things go, take risks, follow up on the interesting things.
I find it hard especially to let go of work that has taken a long time to make. That value is all entangled with time and effort. But it’s not is it?
Also… trains of thought… and opinions… you have something in your sights, a target, an ambition. And you’re really pleased to get there, but then discover it isn’t quite what you thought. Do you continue along that path or do you cut your losses and step back, even if it has taken years to get there? Should I be swayed by the opinions of others?
I really feel I am at the point where I need to reassess my focus.
Which things are too much like hard work for no return?
Which things are hard work but worth it?
Which things just feel like natural progressions to be followed up on?
Am I spreading myself too thin?
Am I stretching the metaphors so much they need to be broken so I can get on with making?
Is materiality enough?
What do I want to be making?
Who do I want to work with? …and perhaps more importantly who DON’T I want to work with?
One of the things that is troubling me at the moment is the selecting of work to be hung in the ground floor gallery at RBSA in February. It is, for all intents and purposes, a retail space rather than a gallery space. All work hung here has to be for sale. It would be nice to raise some money, but I’m really struggling trying to decide what work goes up. I don’t want to spend a fortune framing or making work just to sell, I have plenty of work, but no idea what to pick, or how to display it in this environment.
