Who are young artists? How long does youth last? Does one decide when it’s over or when somebody else tells you? Are ‘young artists’ defined as those who are just starting out, meaning unexperienced, or artists of a young age, meaning they are immature? Was Joseph Kosuth ever a young artist, considering that he made One and Three Chairs (1965) when he was only twenty years old? Or Richard Long when he made A Line Made by Walking (1967) at the age of twenty-two? Examples like this can disclaim the belief that artists of a young age and little work experience cannot make great artworks.
The expression ‘young artist’ denotes something cunning and ingenious. The phrase is attached to the artist and carried around as a mark, because artists are led to think that it bears a certain potential that will one day blossom into meaningfulness. However, it is a staggering phrase, as what it actually means is that the financial support offered to these artists does not have to be extensive. This leads to a situation where young artists usually work for free. The Brits have wisely created an art brand titled “Young British Artists”, making some of their young artists one of the highest paid artists in the world. I am very interested if that was the way, in which the heavy prefix ‘young artist’ was disposed of and I am curious if they ever came up with a new one. If they did not, one would surely be fitting.
In art, everything is hard and so is youth. The only thing harder than being young is being mediocre. And soon enough, you will be labelled mediocre too. Or at least, when you become a ‘mid-career’ artist. So, don’t worry about anything. And good luck!
Radoš Antonijević
To former students, Svetlana Bulatović, Marija Rajšić and Anna Basa, on the opening of their joint show “Integrations”
Photo: Svetlana Bulatović, Marija Rajšić