The Artist’s Duty

The Artist's Duty

The artist's duty is often doubted by the artist herself, but can never ultimately be in doubt.

What motivates the creative person is inherently personal, coming from a multitude of real world and psychic experiences. In that, it is as all art should be, boundless.

When we define art we box it in.

The self cannot be boxed in, not ultimately.

That which inspires us may be challenged by others who from their moral high ground would call you obscene. But our art can never truly be challenged.

Others may suggest that what you made is improper and not in keeping with the moral structure of a respectable society.

They may suggest that the words or imagery you use is not acceptable to them or indeed to their children. They suggest that you could have chosen a less abrasive means of expression.

In some cultures, they will kill you for what you made it is so offensive to them.

Above all this outside commentary and opinion, supportive or not, there is one thing that must stand on its own unsupported.

That is creative integrity.

Creative Integrity

The artist's duty must be to maintain creative integrity.

In the absence or presence of either support or criticism, there must be in you and I the understanding that all there is, is me.

There's no teaching this, you either know it or you don't.

When you don't know it, you compromise, you second guess, you listen to the opinion of others and you modify your work.

When you do know it, you don't.

What you make is an expression of you. Yes, the outside world influences us and that's how it should be. But to alter what we made based on what others think is to sacrifice our creative integrity.

The Artist's Manifesto asks us to be non-conformist, to highlight injustices, to speak our minds and to bring the truth of things into the open.

It is not about being popular.

The Artist's Manifesto is a call to you and me, to be honest about how we feel and to allow that free expression regardless of the critics.

Because the truth is they cannot understand you. Not really.

They might, but that shouldn't come into it.

Nothing else is of higher importance than you and I maintain creative integrity regardless of support or opposition.

All These Things Are Wrong

Sex is wrong

Guns are wrong

Language is wrong

Making money is wrong

Religion is wrong

God is a fool and Satan is in your mind

Society is wrong

Nudity is wrong but showing bombs being dropped is ok

Not following the crowd is wrong

Telling someone to fuck off is wrong

Don't be so rude!

Ignoring people is wrong

Talking too much is wrong

Photographing dead people is wrong

Charging people more than everyone else is wrong

Being on your own is wrong

Being crazy is wrong

Too many people have too many opinions about what is right and what is wrong. Too many people have their noses in other people's shit to be healthy.

Make your stuff. Ignore the morally idealistic who will tell you different. You and I are here to make what we will.

A Short Extract From The Artist's Manifesto

The duty of the artist is to go to our creative place, create what we are inspired to make and bring it back here.

To show this world a little piece of that thing they have forgotten they are. To let people see that there is a better way, and it waits for them, for that time when they are ready.

It is the artist's duty to be non-conformist, to highlight the wrongs and present a new idea for the world. Our work must be non-partisan, there is no right or wrong just creativity for the sake of creativity.

There is no nationalism, no patriotism, no capitalism, just art. We are Storymakers and it is our job to deliver the truth of the story

We must never censor the truth regardless of how it might be received. Outside opinion must never influence our message and we must never dilute it for fear of controversy or reprisal.

We must be prepared to go to war for the truth, for our art.

Final Word

Criticism is a strange thing.

Sometimes it fires me up, sometimes it brings me to slight regret.

When it comes from friendlies I tend to be calm in my response. When it comes from people I don't know I may ignore it or I may engage.

Response tends to vary.

I don't get a huge amount of criticism of my work and I don't know if that's good or bad.

Any response to our work means we are relevant, we have entered the consciousness of the ones who engage with us.

In that, controversy is a good thing but only if it is real, a true reflection of how we feel. If it is done for the sake of attention alone then it's not art.

It becomes plain old cynical marketing.