Art Blog - ArtId

How To Respond To Criticism In Person and Online.

"Everybody's an art critic." (Judith Martin)

Consider the source: "The lot of critics is to be remembered for what they failed to understand." (George Moore). While it is true that everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, an opinion is not a critique. A critique is backed by education, insight and objectivity. If someone's remarks about your work are not based in these then the remark has little value. A critique opens up an opportunity for response. An opinion is a dead end. Is it really worth it to exchange caustic remarks and insults with someone whose opinion is baseless? Try, "Thanks for taking the time to comment."

Don't take it personally: "No person is important enough to make me angry." (Thomas Carlyle). Even if a criticism is legitimate, take it as just that, a criticism of your work and not you as a person, even though those two are often made indistinguishable in art. Try not to get angry. It takes a lot of energy to be angry, energy that that could be put to creative use elsewhere. The viewer may think they know your work but they do not know you. But how you respond to their criticism will tell them a lot about you. If you get defensive they know they have hit a nerve and for some people that is exactly what they want. Try "That's an interesting observation."

Recognize the opportunity: "When you see yourself doing something badly and nobody's bothering to tell you anymore, that's a very bad place to be. Your critics are the ones telling you they still{}care." (Randy Pausch). I'm not too sure about care but criticism means someone is engaged enough to comment. Consider what is being said and if it has any merit, it may be the very thing that pushes you to the next level. Try, "That is a good observation, I'll give it some thought."

Critique Yourself: "Some critics claim to know what art has to be and do, and consider it their task to steer art along the path they have chosen. Others receive art gladly, and try to distinguish degrees of excellence"... (Norbert Lynton). Practice observant self-critique but remember to be as fair to yourself as you would hope other viewers might be. Resist using negative words in any critique like, lousy, bad, failure and the like. Artist Lynne Hurd Bryant writes a great blog about constructive self-critique. Accept criticism graciously and try to distinguish its degree of value before you decide if and/or how you will respond.

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