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FLIP THE SWITCH: Part II of "What is an Artist?"

 

 

 

 

I am reminded of the time I went to the inauguration of Omen’s mural All it Takes is a Little Heart in Ville St-Laurent, in the fall of 2014. He addressed the press and city officials with a smile, “Remember when you used to call the cops on me? Now you pay me to paint walls.” This is Omen. He is larger than life. 

After reading Sarah Thornton’s 33 Artists in 3 Acts dissection of the question What is an artist?, I sought answers from the artists represented by Station 16 Gallery. Omen was one of the first artists to whom I reached out. He is in Panama painting at the moment and posted his definition through social media: “Artists are people who take you through the world and lend you their eyes. It is more a burden than a technique. The artist has to be both egotistical and sensitive enough to want to convey this vision to the rest of the world.” These words were greeted with much enthusiasm, as is most of what Omen publishes. Fans and friends added comments: “The artist must make things in order to achieve this since what they see is often not yet named or explained in words.” “What we do as artists is a service to humanity,” chimed in another.

33 artists in 3 acts art artist emily robertson gilf! jason botkin montreal artists new york artists omen sarah thornton station 16 gallery street art urban art what is an artist whatisadam WIA | 30/01/2015

A DEAD FLY ON THE WINDSHIELD OF TIME: Part I of "What is an Artist?"

 

 

 

 

In early January, I settled down with Sarah Thornton’s new book 33 Artists in 3 Acts in which she poses what appears to be the simplest of questions: What is an artist? Within the first few pages, Thornton is already dismayed to have people reply: “An artist is someone who makes art.”   

I scoffed. My answer would be so much more profound, detailed and smart! Clearly, an artist is… blank. What is an artist? Over dinner, my husband, who is not involved in the art world, answered promptly: “Emily, it’s simple. An artist is a creator.” Really? This seemed too all-encompassing for my taste. One can create with no intent towards art. No, it wasn’t simple at all. 

33 artists in 3 acts art artist deedee enzo enzo sarto eric clement la galerie station 16 montreal montreal art gallery montreal street art ricardo cavolo station 16 gallery street art thornton urban art xray | 23/01/2015