Contemporary artist – what does it mean?
Contemporary artist, I would say – a living artist. Alive and active. So much for an explanation. Of course, according to this definition, I am a contemporary artist. Does this status mean anything to me? Do I have any duties, any responsibilities? Do I have to do something?
Let the paintings in the collection of other techniques show my dilemmas. My language is visual art. I want above all to express myself in this way. I am also a woman. As we know from art history, belonging to the fair sex does not make the role of being an artist any easier. So my questions and dilemmas cover a wide range of phenomena. However, an artist of the 20th century has what artists living in previous centuries did not experience – total freedom.
Freedom in art
Or am I completely free with my art and in my art? There is so much talk about the freedom of the artist, freedom in art, and freedom in general. Undoubtedly the contemporary artist is free, especially when you compare how our predecessors. And when one reads about how they fought for this, our freedom at the moment. Freedom and liberty are precious when one strives for them. Once freedom has been won, it becomes troublesome. We have this gift, and often we do not know what to do with it. How do we use this modern freedom? One would like to do something great. To commit to some extraordinary work. One that would powerfully move any audience. Well, the works, there are no limits, anything is possible. Apparently, you can, but something gets in the way. I want to, but I can’t. I don’t succeed. My inner censor judges harshly what is created. There is a saying that goes. Well, maybe it’s not quite empty, but there are some – skills, willingness, and knowledge of the workshop. There is a studio, there are canvases of paint. There is a graphic press and blank papers. All this is waiting for my action, my gestures, my movements. My studio is like a cage for freedom. Yes, a cage. Freedom encloses me and demands something. Defining, naming, and overcoming my limitations, I guess. This is my task – that of a contemporary artist.
