I consider myself an artist. But whenever I start to talk about ‘artists’
apart from the I-mess-with-paint definition, people start to get
uncomfortable. The term ‘artist’ in this
culture carries with it a picture of elitism and snobbishness. This is because most artists tend to be
elitists and snobs, and take great pleasure in corrupting the next generation
of artists with the same we-are-special beliefs. But I believe the artists have done a great
disservice to their own name. The word
‘artist’ used in the abstract is a useful term, and I for one would like to be
able to use it without sounding condescending.
So, for the record, here is my view
of artists and their place in the human race.
Artists are not better than other
people. In fact, they are frequently
much worse, since by adopting the vaunted label of ‘artist’ many
artistically-inclined people feel they now have permission to let all their
vices run wild – particularly pride, which is the most odious of all the vices.
Artists do have a special
understanding of beauty and creativity.
But while that may be our blessing, we are constantly dogged by our
curses. We have great gifts, but we also
have such great weaknesses.
And isn’t that the story of everyone?
No one has yet mastered the trick
of being a complete and perfect human being.
When we are born there is written on our souls somewhere a list of all
the things we could be and do, all the ways in which we can be human, all the
fascinatingly beautiful things that make life worth living. But as we grow, we grow lopsided. I think that’s part of the curse – some
things that others find hard will come to us naturally, and some things that to
others are easy will, inevitably, be painfully difficult for us. We can pour ourselves into one thing or many
things, but there will never be enough time, energy, and talent for us to grow
strong in everything.
However, that means we all have things
we can teach each other. Yes, we have
our great leaders, great scientists and explorers, great organizers, great
teachers, great husbands and wives and parents, great healers, great counselors,
great artists* – people who have pursued their gifts to the fullest. But regardless of our gifts, each of us
should try, in our own ways, to learn to explore, to teach, to organize, to
counsel, to heal, to lead, to create.
When we stretch ourselves in the things that don’t come naturally, we
discover more ways to live. In a sense,
we become more human.
An artist, then, is one who teaches
beauty and creativity, because that is his gift and that is what he has to
give. A wise artist must guard the truth
that creativity is for everyone, that no one has a monopoly on beauty, that
these things are a part of being human that should not be fenced off by
elitism. And an artist must remain
humble before those who have strengths where he has weaknesses -- which is everyone, really -- and always be willing
to learn more about the mystery of living.
---
*I mean these outside the strict
occupational definitions of the words.
