How We Talk About What We Do

It seems that the conversation about how we talk about what we do is getting louder, and more insistent: We're just not happy with the available words as we identify ourselves as creators, and we want something that is neither limiting nor misleading. Joanne Mattera has written a provocative post about not using an adjective in front of artist; i.e., don't call yourself a fiber artist or an art quilter or a ceramicist, just call yourself an artist, and then live up to it.

In Joanne's view, this helps artists to avoid getting trapped in the fiber/craft ghetto and opens up more opportunity and I think she's right about that. I still think it's unfortunate that being a quilter or stitcher seems to have as many liabilities as benefits. Her choice of a Gee's Bend quilt image is interesting, because as far as I know, they did call themselves quilters; it was a farsighted curator who put them in a context that eliminated that label. And part of the visibility of the pieces was the whole, "Think these are modern art? Think again! They're just quilts! By women! Fooled you!" line.

So I reiterate that labeling is more for others than yourself, but it does seem to matter. There are great comments on the maker post about this.

I have a language pet peeve too, and I've resisted writing about this because it seems a little or a lot on the curmudgeonly side, but I hate when women talk about being "fiber addicts" or "bead junkies" or otherwise using the language of addiction to refer to their interest in and love of materials. Why? Because, just like calling yourself a shoe junkie or a shopping addict, it's a way of abdicating responsibility and choice. "I can't help it, I'm an addict." I can say for sure that this is not the way to advance your interests as an artist. I have never, ever heard a man refer to the materials and tools that he uses in that way. They're the things he needs to support his creative will, not an addiction.

Now, lest you send me a message that I should "lighten up," know that I'm lecturing myself as much as anyone else in the words that follow. If you love textiles, paint, fabric, yarn, beads, stitching, sewing, color, texture, photography, books, workshops, whatever it may be, own it. Declare that it's what you love and it's how you choose to spend your time, money, and mental energy. Don't cop out as a junkie who can't control herself. If you're an artist, you deserve good tools and supplies and inspiration.

We use a lot of war words and violence language in our culture. We also use a lot of addiction language. If our words create our future, then let's choose to do a better job on both fronts.

Now, just one link for a little fun: Printsource New York, the textile design trade show, has a new blog on print and pattern in fashion and textiles.

Comments

[arlee]

Thanks for this thought provoking post! I have caught myself saying i'm "Just" something or other---another word that should be banished, when describing ourselves and what we do.
I hadn't thought about the "addiction" language either---i'm getting rid of my Stash and calling it (raw) materials from now on. I long ago decided i didn't have UFO's, they are Components, more materials to work with.
I think we cannabalize ourselves when we label what we do with these terms-----sooner or later there is little left, eaten up by categorizing and compartmentalizing.

[Julia Moore]

Really appreciate your thoughtful, informative posts! I was thrilled to read the word 'maker' in your recent article. I have been calling myself an artist who makes things, or 'a maker of useful things' for quite awhile, ever since another artist friend of mine who had just graduated from a prestigious art institute with an MFA told me that as a student she had learned that there are several categories that artists can fall into, and it depends partly on personality. She was also a 'maker of things' type of artist. I wish I could tell you what the other categories are. I felt so official once I had a proper title, and I just keep on lovingly making beautiful things. Has anyone else heard of this 'artist type' theory? I'd like to read more about it.

[Jane]

** or even compeled - and I'm going to learn to spell :-)

[Jane]

Great post, I think we are just all so used to using these words we need to make a concerted effort to change. I'm going to take on the suggestions given by Hilly and change from being obsessed to compled and transported.

[neki rivera]

what's wrong with being passionate about something? and why do people chose any other word in order to avoid using passion and passionate?

[Lainie]

Hi Hilly, you make a great point -- and how interesting and lovely that all the words you mention are words that fall into the love and transcendence category. They suggest a passionate relationship with the materials. Nice!

[Hilly Jacklin]

I too object to the use of addiction based words to describe a person's passion, in part because there are so many words that do the job better, Besotted (my favorite) compelled, awestruck, transported, the list goes on and on. Take a tour of your thesaurous and expand your verbal vocbulary just as, as a creator, you expand your vocabulary of skills.

[deb]

JMs post has a lot of hair going up in flames. Thanks for fanning the fire.

[jude]

maybe you have just hit the nail on the head regarding this art craft issue. may it is not the activity but the ownership or lack of it. brilliant.