Silence and Fame, thoughts on a monday

It’s a grey Monday morning and the rain sounds as if it’s being hand sown on the outside of an adjacent window. I have a lot to be getting on with today but first I find time for a brief, contemplative sit down to unleash some of those thoughts and ideas that build up during the part of my week where being creative and stimulated has to be tragically put aside for ‘the day job’. As I sit here in bed I find my thoughts again go out to Andrew Cooper, who is still in hospital after collapsing at home following a breakdown resulting in serious health issues stemming from liver damage over 10 years ago... Andrew, who only last year had a major exhibition at Newport Museum & Art Gallery along with an accompanying documentary released highlighting his practice, spiralled back into depression which I’m told resulted in his collapse. Andrew, for a lot of young and up and coming artists has been an inspiring role model and in some way a glimpse at our own personal futures. So it’s no wonder that his illness has shocked so many. I’m not going pretend I know Andrew that well because the truth is although I’ve worked, exhibited and at one time shared a studio door with him, our discussions have only spanned two years or so and have primarily been about art. Despite only knowing him this way: I have been privileged to work in such close proximity with him at tactileBOSCH Studios. I think one thing we have to think about as artists is how we handle the silence that often follows an important show. Andrew is no doubt a successful artist but do we expect too much from society, especially when we’re always seeing the mega-success of artists like Hockney, Emin and Hirst? Do we forget the Munchs and the Van Goughs as our inherent optimism gets the better of us? What do we want out of our careers and how feasible are our goals? This takes me back to the question, what is success in art? Is it fame? Monetary recognition? Perhaps a solo show in the Tate or National Museum? Or maybe success is a personal reconciliation of our themes and concepts? For some I know it’s all these, and more. My personal goal would be achieved when my artistic practice becomes self-sustaining and when I use the word ‘work’ it only defines my practice. For me everything after that is a great reward, a bonus. Whether a self-sustaining artistic practice is an end goal or a stepping stone to success I hope we can find some peace in the quieter times and the strength to remember it’s the work we make that defines us. My thoughts go out to Andrew and his friends and I wish him a swift recovery.