What Makes Art Valuable?
Author: Tim Seaward

I read an amazing article by Grayson Perry entitled "How art
appreciates - it's a class act". In a nutshell he reckoned that
art finds its true monetary value from what the experts say. But
I can see something more from what he says.

If a piece of art is to be labeled as having any "value" at all
it is what is said about it that establishes it as a work worthy
of an individuals attention.

In other words ... if you see a picture and it relates to you
in some way (this can be either positively or negatively) -
then you should say so ... and write it down.

So once one remark has been made then others will follow ...
plus other people will look at the work and make their own
minds up about it, and they will also read about what you have
said ... and they will include your critique in their weighing
up of the image.

I am not necessarily talking only about financial worth, no,
here is a far greater opportunity which is all inclusive,
wonderfully mutual, and offers the chance for anyone - and
everyone ... to add to the worthiness of any piece of art - and
eventually to the whole of society. What YOU have to say about a
particular artwork is very important ... even vital not only to
the work, or the artist, or that particular type of work, or to
your locality, or to your region, or to your country ... but to
the World! (I am referring here to the butterfly wing beat
theory ... if you don't know about it then you must look it up
... it really puts value onto the individual within a world
context ... fantastic - but I believe it's true).

Let's look at this in a bit more detail, first from the
artist's point of view ...

If, when you exhibit your art, you value what people have to
say about your work (and I don't mean if you want everyone to
love everything you do otherwise you will sulk and withdraw
into yourself), and are happy for observers to voice their
opinion about it - make sure you have a visitors book easily
available for any remarks to be made (remember ... even someone
who only wants to deface the book is actually saying something
about themselves - and their society ... and your work might be
evoking a challenge to them so much that their only response can
be a defensive one such as vandalism - therefore even this has a
value in itself - and strangely actually places a value upon
your work). These can have a use later on in publicity, and in
some cases can be seen as endorsements for your style of work.

If you have a website then a well placed, easy to understand
and use, guest-book or visitors book, or comments page are very
useful reference points for you and your work. If visitors refer
to a particular image then their critique might be worthy of
adding to the page that the picture is on. That way other
observers can get to read observations coming from different
points of view. Of course, if a visitor does not want to be
influenced - then they can just simply ignore anything that is
written. However, others may well find such additional
information from the "man-in-the-street" helpful to them as
they try to assimilate what they see. What is written will be
of far greater value to them - and to you the artist in may
other areas too. And if you are trying to sell your work then a
timely encouraging comment from a third party might persuade an
otherwise hesitant buyer into making that sort after
commitment.

Now from the visitors point of view ...

It is a truly wonderful thing to be "touched" by a piece of art
in a gallery. When ever I have found myself slowly being drawn
into a painting I immediately want to verbalize what I am
receiving - I might want to shout or laugh loudly ... but more
likely I would want to put down in writing a description of
what I am seeing, what I am feeling, and what kind of
inspiration I might begin to cultivate ... and what intention I
might want to start getting in motion (which is why I always
carry a notepad around with me).

So I would encourage, even exhort, the viewer not to just take
a back step and move on to another picture. But rather I want
them to commit their thoughts, frustrations, emotions,
decisions, resolutions ... anything which has come directly
from looking at a piece of art, commit these to paper - find
the visitors book and, if necessary, fill it with your
reactions to the work. By doing this the visitor is rightly
placing themselves into the "experts" chair. So any thoughts
and points of view are worthy of note. If you have a view on a
piece of work then it should be heard.

It is the same - or should be - when visiting a website. In
fact it can be easier to make an anonymous comment on the
internet. A lot of sites give you the opportunity to make a
comment without having to give your name, email address - or
any information other than the words you want to type. So if
you are that sort of person then don't be afraid but try to get
into the habit of writing down your views. You might actually
WANT to reveal who you are or put down your area of expertise
... be it the university professor or the "public highway
hygiene technician" ... because what you say matters ...
whoever you are.

What will happen here is that as comments are made and attached
to a work others will read them and, having viewed the piece
themselves, they will make their own point of view whether for
or against other comments ... and the work will gain its own
merit from what is said.

So while the top artists are busy vying for that hallowed
multi-millionaire-and-totally-famous-artists kind of place -
the rest of us can get on and work, and receive a much more
valuable encouragement ... that of the humble, if not
down-to-earth, endorsements from our fellow human beings.

Don't be afraid ... be truthful ... tell it like it is ... and
watch what happens.


About The Author: Tim Seaward is the author of "What makes art
valuable?". He is also a practicing fine artist living and
working in the UK. Visit his site to find out exactly what he
paints. http://www.ablot.com or mailto:tim[at]ablot.com
(replace [at] with @)