New talent can be found at photography schools
Source Magazine is a magazine of contemporary photography from Ireland. I never had the opportunity to see the magazine, so I can’t comment about it, but I recently learned that at their website they have started to host a gallery of photography from graduate schools United Kingdom and Ireland.
It seems to me that this is not only a great idea to expose the work of emerging photographers but most to serve as a catalyst for the students to perform at their best. There is nothing like getting broad public exposure to raise your self criticism and do your best work. I hope to see similar efforts across photography schools in the USA and other countries. Seeing fresh ideas for ways to share new photography is always very much welcome. Discovering talent like Ciaran Dolan is always a nice surprise.
Miguel,
That is pretty cool. It’s nice to have a resource to check out, in the case of students, pre-emerging photographers. Some really great stuff in there…
but with that said… it seems that this is only adding to the artworld’s belief that you have to have a degree from this school or that in how to hold and work a camera in order to be creative. It’s just going to make it that much harder for those self-taught, underfunded photographers that are out there. I’m happy to say I did struggle and break through those barriers myself and am doing quite well, so I’m not just angry and disgruntled by being shunned. I also like to preach my story of self-taught inspiration to community colleges and lesser known or lesser funded schools as often as I can when I’m in a city for a show. Trying to inspire a possibly hidden gem that might be discouraged.
Hi Aaron,
I don’t believe that an artist is created by education. So in no way I intended to convey that message … schools are indeed tracing people that are by their own interest creative … doesn’t mean they are great artist, just they try to be. This doesn’t limit anyone to create outstanding art .. like you do.
I have never ever looked at photography from any artist and thought about his education, never cared much about the bio. I do care about the work, the rest are just circumstances.
Your extraordinary work will lead your career … creativity is not dictated by education, you know that well, everybody knows.
Thanks much Aaron ..
Miguel
“So in no way I intended to convey that message”
I didn’t think you were. I was just being an antagonist for debate.
“schools are indeed tracing people that are by their own interest creative”
and that’s great!
“creativity is not dictated by education, you know that well, everybody knows.”
does everybody know that? I would like to think so, but I’ve talked with photo “hobbyists” who were incredibly intimidated by the school thing on their bio after looking at the limitless amount of other photographers bios. I’m not saying it’s out of control and is ruining art. Nowhere near anything like that. Take Mike Brodie as a good example of one of the “uneducated” photographers doing well for himself. I just find it hard to think of others??? I’m just pointing out that there may be (?) some prejudices out there.
But, you also know as well as I do that not all gallery owners or collectors look solely at the work. There is a ton of network/who-you-know type stuff going on. It’s more a combination of luck, persistence, chance encounters, and of course a great body of work for the unschooled photographer. Is this less so for the promising university graduate who has network connections begun for them by their professor or school?
Hi Aaron,
John Paul Caponigro says:
What’s it take to succeed in fine arts? Perseverance, smart work, hard work, information, luck, talent, and friends – in that order. Oh, and it’s not pick two out of eight, it’s all of the above.
——
Interesting he doesn’t mention education but talent. Then it comes the real social sciences -as you say- of friends and network, for that I can see why you speak about a possible bias. Interesting that you mention the same attitudes to succeed … luck, persistence, chance encounters, and great work …although he calls it “smart work” .. I can imagine what “smart” means …
Miguel
Aaron, it seems like you have a bit of a chip on your shoulder. I don”t know where it”s inferred, on this site or on Source”s, that one must have a degree in photography or fine art in order to be a ”real” artist/photographer. I agree, good work is good work, regardless of the maker”s biography. That being said, I don”t see any problem with Source showcasing the work of recent graduates – i think it”s great actually. I don”t really believe that there is a bias against ”uneducated” photographers. Thousands of students graduate every year; only a very few go on to make a name for themselves. The fact is, it”s hard to ”break” the art-photography world, and I also think that if that”s all that someone wants then they are in it for the wrong reasons.