Art Career

The world is smaller than you think and it’s yours to explore. You were born a citizen of this planet and you have a lifetime to get to know every corner. For artists, the ability to immerse themselves in other places and cultures is not only an invaluable tool for personal growth but can inform their work in ways they could not have imagined. Residency is the best way for an artist to experience the world, and fortunately, it is not difficult to find programs that host artists all year round for varying lengths of stay. Read on for three international programs and see whether one – or more – could be right for you.

The Museum am Rothenbaum – Kulturen und Künste der Welt (MARKK) in Hamburg, Germany invites artists to apply for a three month residency. In their own words, “The exhibition will feature visually compelling images relating to port cities, which always acted as sites of circulation and trade. The central focus will be a photo album linked to a female member of a Hamburg trading family, depicting people and sites in Singapore before 1868. The exhibition addresses the multivalent memories and contested meanings of such an originally private assemblage of images now part of MARKK photographic collection.” For full details and to apply, visit the website. For more information about Markk, click here. Deadline for applications is August 3.

CREATURES invites creatives to consider Open Forest, “a participatory artwork performing an experimental inquiry into different forests and forest data-sets. The work consists of a series of interactive installations, performative actions, and speculative research instruments exploring forest data flows. It helps reimagine and rearrange relationships among various entities with different connections to forests, such as scientists, citizens, sensors, environmental data, climate change and trees. One aim is to expand the landscape, in which stories about such entities can be told and care about them enacted.” To better understand the project and learn how to engage, visit the website. Deadline is August 5.

Artists up to the age of 40 are invited to apply for Styria Artist in Residence scholarships. The Styrian state government, on behalf of the Cultural Counselor Mag. Christopher Drexler, will award scholarships in 2022 to international artists of all disciplines and theories. Those who wish to work with the Styrian art and culture scene are encouraged to apply. For more information and to apply, visit the website. Deadline for applications is August 10.

Praxis Center wants to help you get to know the world. We know that travel and immersive stays are one of the best ways for artists to open doors and move to new levels in their practice and career. Knowing where to look and having the courage to take no for an answer are the first steps in finding the residency that is right for you. We say it often, the only residency you absolutely will not land is the one you don’t apply for.

 

Brainard Carey is an author, artist and educator. He is the director of Praxis for Aesthetics. He has written six books for artists; Making it in the Art World, New Markets for Artists, The Art World Demystified, Fund Your Dreams Like a Creative Genius, Sell Online Like a Creative Genius, and Succeed with Social Media Like a Creative Genius. His book, Making it in the Art World, is available now with bonus content here.

Photo credit: Christian Pirkl/Wiki Commons

 

“All great and precious things are lonely.” -John Steinbeck, Of Mice and Men

The pandemic cracked open a universe of solitude. Once busy, vibrant social lives folded in on themselves for many, leaving vast tracts of time unscheduled, unshared. For some, this was nothing but a temporary pause, but for others, this enforced alone time gave rise to re-evaluations, an examination of what it is that truly matters. For some, being alone has proven an epiphany. Of course, humans at heart are social creatures, and one eventually must seek out some connection. But perhaps this time has been an unforeseen lesson in slowing down, in taking stock, in asking ourselves what – and who – truly enriches our time.

Carl Berg spoke to us from L.A. in early June. When we initially reached out to him for an interview request, he was in Europe where he became strange for part of the pandemic. Now returned home, he is involved in multiple projects. A curator and gallery director, Berg has a new gallery space called PRJCTLA, which he describes as an alternative space. Though the gallery was open during the pandemic, it was forced to remain inactive. Now the space is open by appointment to view exhibitions. Among the artists in a recent exhibition was Berg’s 97-year-old father-in-law who still makes art. The gallery spreads out the event over six hours to open shows, allowing ten people per hour in the large space to maintain appropriate social distancing. Berg has future shows in the works but wasn’t able to speak about some of them yet as he was awaiting commitment from the artists involved. To hear more about PRJCT L.A. and more, listen to the complete interview.

Ward Shelley returned to speak with us having joined us last on Christmas Eve 2020. During our previous conversation, we discussed relationships during the pandemic, particularly for artists. For Shelley, the world before and after the pandemic are vastly different. At the age of 70, he undertook a re-evaluation of his life. Now at age 71, he is either semi-retired or on a break, a point on which he isn’t entirely sure just yet. For some of Shelley’s friends, the idea that his life no longer revolves around his practice is unthinkable. But for him, this is an important and welcome change. His most recent show was in September of 2020 and since then he has been on hiatus. To hear more about this new chapter, listen to the complete interview.

A Few Words to Keep in your Pocket:

There is beauty in being alone – perhaps even in occasional loneliness.

Interviews are available on iTunes as podcasts, and for Android please click here. All weekly essay pieces in a shareable format are here. The full archive of interviews here.

Books to Read

What are you reading? Add your titles to our reading list here. Two titles recommended by Praxis users: All The Light We Cannot See by Anthoney Doerr & Heaven’s Breath: A Natural History of the Wind by Lyall Watson.

Deadlines:

Artists up to the age of 40 are invited to apply for Styria Artist in Residence scholarships. The Styrian state government, on behalf of the Cultural Counselor Mag. Christopher Drexler, will award scholarships in 2022 to international artists of all disciplines and theories. Those who wish to work with the Styrian art and culture scene are encouraged to apply. For more information and to apply, visit the website. Deadline for applications is August 10.

Brainard Carey is an author, artist and educator. He is the director of Praxis for Aesthetics. He has written six books for artists; Making it in the Art World, New Markets for Artists, The Art World Demystified, Fund Your Dreams Like a Creative Genius, Sell Online Like a Creative Genius, and Succeed with Social Media Like a Creative Genius. His book, Making it in the Art World, is available now with bonus content here.

 

From 24 June to 20 August 2021, Marian Goodman Gallery and Holt/Smithson Foundation will present the first exhibition of Robert Smithson’s work in the gallery’s New York space. The exhibition, Abstract Cartography, will focus on a crucial five-year period in Smithson’s development: 1966 to 1971, a time when his “inklings of earthworks” began. This careful selection of artworks will trace Smithson’s radical rethinking of what art could be and where it could be found.

“I can’t stand it to think my life is going so fast and I’m not really living it.”

-Ernest Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises

Are you living? We all exist, but it can be argued that only some of us truly live. It is far too easy, particularly in our time of virtual interaction and digital life, to move through our time on earth without experiencing much beyond our own mind. Of course, there is nothing wrong with spending time in the digital space, it is an imperative for most of us these days, but there is certainly an argument to be made that one should set aside devices, step out the front door, wander in the world, truly live. Otherwise, we risk letting life go by through the lens of others.

Brittany M. Watkins is based in South Carolina where she is beginning to go out as the pandemic eases. As someone who works from home regardless, Watkins admits that not a lot changed for her during lockdown in terms of work. However, last year Watkins’ father became ill unexpectedly and did not make it. Losing her father, who was her closest person to her in the family, changed her work in that she now examines not only how we navigate the external world, she now includes themes of mortality and how we deal with taking care of others as well as a look at our physical bodies. Shortly after losing her father, Watkins was scheduled to attend residency in Eerie, PA. Knowing that he would have wanted her to go, she attended and was able to set up a tour of blighted buildings taken over by the city. These became the basis for work unlike anything she has ever created. To hear more about this and other aspects of her practice, listen to the complete interview.

Lisa le Feuvre is the Executive Director of Holt/Smithson Foundation. She admits that she believes she has the best job that any curator could possibly have. As the first director of this young foundation, she has spend her time building out the idea of what their overall modus operandi should be. The plan is for the foundation to be actively run for 20 years and then close down. Within that time, they intended to establish and research resources for artists. This amount of time is also significant because it will be exactly 100 years after Nancy Holt and Robert Smithson, the foundation namesakes were born. To learn more about Holt/Smithson Foundation including their current show titled Robert Smithson: Abstract Cartography now on at the Marian Goodman Gallery in New York, listen to the complete interview.

A Few Words to Keep in your Pocket:

Look up from your screen today and set out to experience the world through your own senses.

Interviews are available on iTunes as podcasts, and for Android please click here. All weekly essay pieces in a shareable format are here. The full archive of interviews here.

Books to Read

What are you reading? Add your titles to our reading list here. Brittany M. Watkins is reading Mastery by Robert Greene and The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemmingway.

Deadlines:

Women’s Studio Workshop invites artists to apply for the 2021-2022 Artists-in-Education residency. This is an opportunity for artists to work with school students while creating their own work in a supportive, immersive environment. For full details and to apply, visit the website. Deadline for applications is August 1.

Brainard Carey is an author, artist and educator. He is the director of Praxis for Aesthetics. He has written six books for artists; Making it in the Art World, New Markets for Artists, The Art World Demystified, Fund Your Dreams Like a Creative Genius, Sell Online Like a Creative Genius, and Succeed with Social Media Like a Creative Genius. His book, Making it in the Art World, is available now with bonus content here.

 

From 24 June to 20 August 2021, Marian Goodman Gallery and Holt/Smithson Foundation will present the first exhibition of Robert Smithson’s work in the gallery’s New York space. The exhibition, Abstract Cartography, will focus on a crucial five-year period in Smithson’s development: 1966 to 1971, a time when his “inklings of earthworks” began. This careful selection of artworks will trace Smithson’s radical rethinking of what art could be and where it could be found.

The world is yours if you choose to take hold. For artists, residency can offer the opportunity to expand your horizons, grow your practice, network well outside your usual circles and embrace places and experiences you might not otherwise encounter. While not every residency will be suited to every artist, if you commit to your search you will eventually find the right fit and secure yourself a spot somewhere. Here are a few upcoming residency opportunities to set you on the path.

Women’s Studio Workshop invites artists to apply for the 2021-2022 Artists-in-Education residency. This is an opportunity for artists to work with school students while creating their own work in a supportive, immersive environment. For full details and to apply, visit the website. Deadline for applications is August 1.

Tusen Takk offers residency in Leland, Michigan. Artists in residence enjoy housing, access to a 24/7 library of information, promotion of work, access to staff, networking opportunities and a weekly honorarium to help cover costs. For more information and to apply, visit the website. Deadline for applications is August 1.

Hidden Turtle residency invites artists to apply for a three week stay in Akumal, Mexico this September. In their own words: Hidden Turtle Residency is an immersion opportunity in a very unique, exquisitely gorgeous and delicate ecosystem along the Southeastern coast of Mexico in the jungle adjoining the Caribbean coastline. We invite a global range of individuals working across a range of disciplines including visual/media/literary/performing arts,
natural and social sciences, scholars, makers, designers. For further details and to apply, visit the website. Deadline is August 1.

Praxis Center is your key to the next step in your journey. We know what it takes to build a career as a professional artist, but we also understand and respect the amount of work required to do so successfully. When you join Praxis, you unlock the resources you need to deepen your path to artistic success.

Brainard Carey is an author, artist and educator. He is the director of Praxis for Aesthetics. He has written six books for artists; Making it in the Art World, New Markets for Artists, The Art World Demystified, Fund Your Dreams Like a Creative Genius, Sell Online Like a Creative Genius, and Succeed with Social Media Like a Creative Genius. His book, Making it in the Art World, is available now with bonus content here.

 

Photo credit: Matías Callone

“The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.” -Plutarch

We live in an age where our minds are often packed to the bursting point with information from every direction. It is all too easy to absorb what appear to be facts only to discover that they are nothing but misinformation bundled up and packaged as the truth. We are the keepers of our own minds, and it falls on us to curate the information therein. Much like it is good practice not to allow toxins into our bodies, we should have an awareness of what we are feeding our mind and how it may be affecting our perception of the world.

Bisa Butler spoke to us from New Jersey where she maintains a studio. She has been trying to push herself to move faster and prepare work more quickly but is finding there is a struggle after the last year of disrupted workflow. Butler has two upcoming fairs to prepare for – Expo Chicago opening in October and the Untitled Fair at Miami Art Week. During the last year, Butler began working slower and more carefully. While in 2018 it might have taken her a week to quilt a portrait of a life-sized person, now it takes the better part of a month. Her detailing has become more accurate, which takes up time. She is now trying to discover a middle ground where details are good but up to an unrealistic standard of perfection. Current work is focused on the Harlem Hellfighters, an African-American infantry unit. To hear more about the Hellfighters and Bisa Butler’s work, listen to the complete interview.

James Esber spoke to us from Williamsburg, Brooklyn where he spent the bulk of the pandemic. He reports that the streets of Brooklyn continued to be lively even during the shutdown, though he adds that this is not a good reflection of how businesses are doing admitting that they continue to struggle. The beginning of lockdown felt like a snow day for Esber in that he and his wife, who is also a painter, already work from home and he doesn’t mind spending time this way. As things moved on, income began to dwindle and their studio lives went through unforeseen changes. Esber likes to work on his pieces over time – often he will put a start and end date on his work and those dates can be years apart. In this way, he feels at times like he is collaborating with a younger version of himself. To hear more about James Esber’s work and process, listen to the complete interview.

A Few Words to Keep in your Pocket:

The mind is sacred, our main source for understanding the world around us, treat it accordingly.

Interviews are available on iTunes as podcasts, and for Android please click here. All weekly essay pieces in a shareable format are here. The full archive of interviews here.

Books to Read

What are you reading? Add your titles to our reading list here. Bisa Butler is a fan of Octavia Butler and has recently been reading her novel Fledgling. James Esber is reading Inkblots: Hermann Rorschach, His Iconic Test, and the Power of Seeing by Damion Searls.

Deadlines:

Residency 108 is accepting applications for fall residency in NY State. In their own words:

Residency 108 invites emerging and established artists, writers and thinkers of all disciplines to immerse themselves in their creative practice. We particularly welcome those who work with nature, ecology and the installation of temporary outdoor land-art works. The residency is free apart from the cost of travel and material expenses which must be assumed by the individual. 

For more information, visit the website. Residency period is from October 10 – November 7. Deadline for applications is July 18.

Brainard Carey is an author, artist and educator. He is the director of Praxis for Aesthetics. He has written six books for artists; Making it in the Art World, New Markets for Artists, The Art World Demystified, Fund Your Dreams Like a Creative Genius, Sell Online Like a Creative Genius, and Succeed with Social Media Like a Creative Genius. His book, Making it in the Art World, is available now with bonus content here.

 

From 24 June to 20 August 2021, Marian Goodman Gallery and Holt/Smithson Foundation will present the first exhibition of Robert Smithson’s work in the gallery’s New York space. The exhibition, Abstract Cartography, will focus on a crucial five-year period in Smithson’s development: 1966 to 1971, a time when his “inklings of earthworks” began. This careful selection of artworks will trace Smithson’s radical rethinking of what art could be and where it could be found.