Being an aesthetic bigot, is just one step away from being a lot of
other bad things. Let's just let the market decide.
First, bigot is a pretty harsh word. Intolerant of others opinions.
That I have my opinion does not mean I am intolerant of others
opinions.
Andy,
I have seen your work in person and I am quite sure the market does
not determine the design or craftsmanship of what you make, or how it
is finished.
There is a difference between high end platinum or gold jewelry for
the wedding and engagement or high end diamond or colored gem market,
and the textured and patina-ed gallery jewelry. I am straddle both
“markets” with my own work.
I do not believe I have seen fine quality large diamond, aqua,
emerald, tanzanite, ect. set in metal that had tool marks visible.
Most of the quality work by top metalsmiths that I see that is
textured have even, uniform surfaces that are not marred by tool
marks or solder seams showing. Not so much an aesthetic bigot as
stating what I have seen in the work of Jeff and Susan Wise, Harold
O’Connor, Marne Ryan, Michael Zobel, as well as your work, Andy.
I have looked closely at these artist’s pieces and have my opinion
about whether the work has been influenced by the market place.
I also think it is a disservice to newbies to not be educated to a
standard that allows them to ask for and receive better prices for
better craftsmanship.
There are artists who won’t put dings on their piece to satisfy a
gallery owner. They have their own sense of integrity about their
work. That would be like having a gallery owner ask you to high
polish your pieces to be acceptable, and I doubt that would
happen…
There is a lot of difference between what is shown at Mobilia, Aaron
Faber, or Patina and a local craft gallery.
I saw a brooch of yours, if my mind serves me correctly, that was
sterling and red enamel and had a patina, it had a little irregular
blob of gold that looked like something that happens by accident on
one side of the frame holding the enamel. I was tickled by that
because it was unexpected. Looked like a mistake but I believe it was
the intention.
I remember a long, long time ago, in a Metalsmith magazine, someone
reviewed Harold O’Connor’s work and mentioned that one of the pieces
had glue showing, and that the glue was distracting. Probably just
one of those aesthetic bigots!
Richard Hart G.G.
Denver, Co.