ArticulateMy Column for Tempo Magazine
Topic - Talking of Compliments
Talking of Compliments
A reporter asked me the other day, 'what is the best compliment you have ever received?'. Over the last few years, I have received many compliments about my art, ranging from subtle, cool, great, fancy to out of this world. I had never quite thought about the best amongst them; therefore, I sat there thinking and questioning. What constitutes ‘the best ever compliment’ that an artist can receive?
When someone buys your art, its considered a compliment. Fancy awards are a great compliment too. I wish they had a Noble Prize for Artists, but the question asked was not in the genre of popular awards as compliments, it was more on the lines of personal compliments.
So, I asked Linda Stephanian, an accomplished sculptor residing in Abu Dhabi about the same. She replied, ‘Personally speaking the best compliment I received was by the Romanian freelance journalist & photographer Silvia Radan. Silvia had remarked that my earlier works reminded her of the renowned Romanian Sculptor Constantin Brancusi. I was so honoured to hear that!’
I agreed, even the compliments I received in the past were primarily regarding how lovely my artwork is, how people love my painting, and that my paintings are so unique. Compliments like these are usually received when you are at the opening reception of an exhibition. 90% of the time these compliments are genuine and 10% of the times they happen to be polite. Don’t get me wrong, I am pretty sure about the work I create, but a lot of folks don't truly understand Abstract Art. Most of my own family does not understand my art, how do I blame others?
I once came across a lady looking at my painting, nodding and saying ‘Ooh how lovely, but what does this painting actually show?’ with a puzzled look on her face. Of course, I was extremely happy to explain and talk all about it, being the chirpy and chatty person that I am. Somehow, this is not what I'd consider as a compliment even though the viewer was curious about my work and said it was lovely. In my opinion, the viewer was being polite.
I didn't have to rake my memory too much, and remembered an incident that happened recently wherein a gentleman at my last exhibition at opening at Ghaf Gallery, came up for a chat. The respected gentleman said ‘Ah its very pleasant to meet you. I have been following your art and its finally good to a put a face to the name’. This gentleman did not say that my works were extraordinary, or that he loved them, or that he was going to buy them. To be honest, there was no compliment. Ironically in my opinion, though, this was the best compliment anyone could give me as an artist because he was genuinely interested in my art, enough to keep a track of my previous and latest works at exhibitions.
When someone buys your art, its considered a compliment. Fancy awards are a great compliment too. I wish they had a Noble Prize for Artists, but the question asked was not in the genre of popular awards as compliments, it was more on the lines of personal compliments.
So, I asked Linda Stephanian, an accomplished sculptor residing in Abu Dhabi about the same. She replied, ‘Personally speaking the best compliment I received was by the Romanian freelance journalist & photographer Silvia Radan. Silvia had remarked that my earlier works reminded her of the renowned Romanian Sculptor Constantin Brancusi. I was so honoured to hear that!’
I agreed, even the compliments I received in the past were primarily regarding how lovely my artwork is, how people love my painting, and that my paintings are so unique. Compliments like these are usually received when you are at the opening reception of an exhibition. 90% of the time these compliments are genuine and 10% of the times they happen to be polite. Don’t get me wrong, I am pretty sure about the work I create, but a lot of folks don't truly understand Abstract Art. Most of my own family does not understand my art, how do I blame others?
I once came across a lady looking at my painting, nodding and saying ‘Ooh how lovely, but what does this painting actually show?’ with a puzzled look on her face. Of course, I was extremely happy to explain and talk all about it, being the chirpy and chatty person that I am. Somehow, this is not what I'd consider as a compliment even though the viewer was curious about my work and said it was lovely. In my opinion, the viewer was being polite.
I didn't have to rake my memory too much, and remembered an incident that happened recently wherein a gentleman at my last exhibition at opening at Ghaf Gallery, came up for a chat. The respected gentleman said ‘Ah its very pleasant to meet you. I have been following your art and its finally good to a put a face to the name’. This gentleman did not say that my works were extraordinary, or that he loved them, or that he was going to buy them. To be honest, there was no compliment. Ironically in my opinion, though, this was the best compliment anyone could give me as an artist because he was genuinely interested in my art, enough to keep a track of my previous and latest works at exhibitions.
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