There’s not nearly as much criticism as I expected in this artist’s life. When I got started, I really thought people would be lining up to tell me what was wrong with my work all the time. I think it’s what a lot of people are afraid of when it comes to sharing their creations. What are people going to say? I know now that the thing people are most likely going to say is nothing.
I want to be clear that I’m not asking for criticism. Sometimes nothing is better than whatever catty thing someone wants to tell you. I’m not complaining about not receiving insults to my work. But what I was NOT prepared for and continue to be floored by is the extraordinary indifference to it.
It feels like – I come out on stage in my elaborate costume that I spent weeks making out of found objects and I expect some applause. I’ve just made a grand entrance! But – not only do I not get applause, or boos, – the crowd doesn’t even stop talking. So I stand there awkwardly in my egg carton gown trying to work out what I should do. No one is particularly interested in me or this costume or the incredible character development I did for this moment. I try a little dance. I sing a little song. I try everything I can think of. And maybe one person in the back starts to get it, which is great, but then the hour we paid for in this theatre is up and I’ve got to get off the stage.
To keep reading It's the Indifference that Will Get You, visit the Songs for the Struggling Artist blog.
This is Episode 391
Song: The Great Song of Indifference
Image by Byron Burns via Unsplash
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Emily Rainbow Davis