Liz Head-Fischer

Understanding the difference between craft and art becomes clearer after listening to the Grayson Perry interview. As an artist he suggests that one elevates one’s craft into fine art by using quality artisanship influenced by the knowledge and understanding of aesthetics. Grayson uses a traditional ancient form to lure the viewer into wanting to explore the method more thoroughly.  What is important to this artist is not the high sculptural quality and technique he brings to the piece, performed in exquisite fashion, but rather what he is attempting to communicate, conceptually, about his work.    In other words, the work is informed by a fundamental question he continually asks: Is my work communicating my concept appropriately? 

Listening to Perry discussing his work while remaining so comfortable with himself and his productions is refreshing.  One significant point he makes is about the importance of asking questions; questioning who the viewer is, what is the art about and how does one make the work.  This has influenced my thinking about my own direction, understanding that by raising an important question, the work is informed and achieves greater cohesiveness and clarity once the artist has given this idea a central place in the production of work.

My current direction employs the metaphor of ‘putting on a face’. We all assume different personas depending upon the social situation in which we find ourselves. Sometimes it is quite comfortable with friends or family and other times it becomes an ‘act’. My concept accentuates the superficial, in other words, the notion of embellishing a form, thereby altering it to achieve a particular end.  For example, we humans pile on makeup, overdo a hairstyle (Donald Trump?), or attempt to communicate messages through the use of tattooing.

When making my work I ask myself if the work reflects my intent, if the viewer understands that idea and finally if the crafted work completes the message as artistically as possible? Using the idea of ‘tribal culture’ as a metaphor representing those who have gone through the ritual of education, Perry helps give a clear focus on how work should be made and the type of audience to which he is directing his work.   Comparing Garth Clark’s discussion on art verses craft, I came away with the idea that only the aesthetically educated could understand art. Perry, on the other hand, did not give me that feeling. The viewer, from his point of view, is able to view work and ‘like’ it but not necessarily know why they like it. The reason that anyone would like art has more to do with the aesthetics of the viewed piece. On the other hand those who have enjoyed years of understanding and education are able to articulate the strengths and weakness of artistic productions.  My goal here is to make art aesthetically beautiful and the rest will take care of itself.

This interview has affected my thinking helping me understand better the difference between an artist and crafter, and recognizing the importance of formulating and keeping in focus a central question or idea that continually informs the work.