A few months ago I was asked to be the exhibition juror for the members exhibit at the Mosesian Arts Center. It's a non-juried show. All members are invited to submit up to 3 pieces of work for the show. From the submissions, I was to choose 1 Best in Show Winner and 3 Honorable Mentions.
Once the show was hung, I was invited to come by the Mosesian Arts Center and see the work. I was determined to have a system for making my choices. Before I walked in, I made a list of criteria for myself. Work under consideration for a prize must:
- Be well executed.
- Have a point-of-view.
- Make me, the viewer, feel or think or react in some way.
- Be unique in some way.
These aren't the criteria that all judges use, I'm sure. But these are the things I like to see in art.
I made an initial sweep through the exhibit making quick choices about "yes" this fits the criteria or "no" this doesn't. After my initial sweep, I had a shortlist of 20 artworks I wanted to go back and see again.
I started to think more deeply about the artwork this time through. I read labels and really considered each of the 20 pieces. After taking a good hard close up look at my top 20, I narrowed it down to 10 pieces that I really felt met all the criteria.
At this point, I felt overwhelmed. And so I decided I needed a bit of time. I took photos of the 10 works under consideration and went home.
The next morning, I decided that I needed a way to more directly compare the artwork. So I printed all 10 out together onto 2 sheets of paper. This allowed me to look at them side-by-side. I picked out my four favorite and decided to sleep on it for one more night.
In the morning, without looking at the artwork, I asked myself, "What artwork are you still thinking about?" Once I had chosen my top four, I had to choose a Grand Prize Winner from among them. The questions I asked were, "Which of these works shows complete mastery over this person's craft?" and, "Which of these works do I not have any suggestions to give the artist on how to make it just a little bit better?"
And in this way, my choices became clear. Here I am announcing the prizes at the Exhibition Opening:
All in all, I would say that this was an educational process for me. I have often been on the other side of the judging process. Four things I'm taking away:
- Art is subjective (obviously). I like seeing the hand of the artist. Another juror might not.
- It's often attractive to go towards creating work that is like what everyone else is making, but standing out is often about standing alone.
- Titles matter. Is your artwork about something? Can the title add meaning to what the viewer is already taking away from the work?
- For me, pretty is not enough. I need story, emotion…something more substantive than pretty.
Most of all, I think I will be less hurt when I don't make it into an exhibit or win a prize. Instead I will focus on being the best version of the artist I want to be!
Thanks for stopping by!
I’m framing: be the best version of the artist I want to be.
I’m framing: be the best version of the artist I want to be.
I’m framing: be the best version of the artist I want to be.
I’m framing: be the best version of the artist I want to be.
I’m framing: be the best version of the artist I want to be.
I’m framing: be the best version of the artist I want to be.
I’m framing: be the best version of the artist I want to be.
I’d love to see photos of the top 4.
I’d love to see photos of the top 4.
I’d love to see photos of the top 4.
I’d love to see photos of the top 4.
I’d love to see photos of the top 4.
I’d love to see photos of the top 4.
I’d love to see photos of the top 4.
Thank you for your decision making process! What was your “Best in Show”? I loved the Philco robot as that piece was a stand out so I’ll be curious to hear what you chose. I can hear some of your suggestions for the other pieces, lovely as they are. I also loved the Van Gogh-like piece of the cover for the exhibit. Thank you again.
Thank you for your decision making process! What was your “Best in Show”? I loved the Philco robot as that piece was a stand out so I’ll be curious to hear what you chose. I can hear some of your suggestions for the other pieces, lovely as they are. I also loved the Van Gogh-like piece of the cover for the exhibit. Thank you again.
Thank you for your decision making process! What was your “Best in Show”? I loved the Philco robot as that piece was a stand out so I’ll be curious to hear what you chose. I can hear some of your suggestions for the other pieces, lovely as they are. I also loved the Van Gogh-like piece of the cover for the exhibit. Thank you again.
Thank you for your decision making process! What was your “Best in Show”? I loved the Philco robot as that piece was a stand out so I’ll be curious to hear what you chose. I can hear some of your suggestions for the other pieces, lovely as they are. I also loved the Van Gogh-like piece of the cover for the exhibit. Thank you again.
Thank you for your decision making process! What was your “Best in Show”? I loved the Philco robot as that piece was a stand out so I’ll be curious to hear what you chose. I can hear some of your suggestions for the other pieces, lovely as they are. I also loved the Van Gogh-like piece of the cover for the exhibit. Thank you again.
Thank you for your decision making process! What was your “Best in Show”? I loved the Philco robot as that piece was a stand out so I’ll be curious to hear what you chose. I can hear some of your suggestions for the other pieces, lovely as they are. I also loved the Van Gogh-like piece of the cover for the exhibit. Thank you again.
Thank you for your decision making process! What was your “Best in Show”? I loved the Philco robot as that piece was a stand out so I’ll be curious to hear what you chose. I can hear some of your suggestions for the other pieces, lovely as they are. I also loved the Van Gogh-like piece of the cover for the exhibit. Thank you again.
Best in Show was the Van Gogh -esque piece.
Best in Show was the Van Gogh -esque piece.
Best in Show was the Van Gogh -esque piece.
Best in Show was the Van Gogh -esque piece.
Best in Show was the Van Gogh -esque piece.
Best in Show was the Van Gogh -esque piece.
Best in Show was the Van Gogh -esque piece.
Wow! The criteria that you set up for judging was great. This is great information I might consider when I enter competitive shows.
Wow! The criteria that you set up for judging was great. This is great information I might consider when I enter competitive shows.
Wow! The criteria that you set up for judging was great. This is great information I might consider when I enter competitive shows.
Wow! The criteria that you set up for judging was great. This is great information I might consider when I enter competitive shows.
Wow! The criteria that you set up for judging was great. This is great information I might consider when I enter competitive shows.
Wow! The criteria that you set up for judging was great. This is great information I might consider when I enter competitive shows.
Wow! The criteria that you set up for judging was great. This is great information I might consider when I enter competitive shows.