#stuckist

[carlwilliamsrarebooks]

You know an area has changed irredeemably when you find a 5 foot high (pre) #stuckist painting in the street on the way back from the #café

[blogdoityourself]

Gutter cleaning scam or not?

[richspeaks]

The Stuckists manifesto

I’ve had a three month hiatus of being immersed in the creativity I am familiar with. This is one of the more interesting things i have discovered since being back. 

I disagree with point four venomously, but the rest of it I get.

[carlasartandstuff]

The Stuckists Manifesto Review

                                                       In the words of Tracey Emin,

                               "Your paintings are stuck,

                               you are stuck!

                              Stuck! Stuck! Stuck!"

    The Stuckists play on Emin's quote relating to co-founder, Billy Childish, taking the juxtaposing word "stuck" to form 'Stuckism'. This is a clear comment on how his work is "stuck" and those artists of similar works are also "stuck". In order to challenge this idea, Childish, along with co-founder Charles Thomson created their own manifesto. Using the term 'Stuckism' is almost mocking Emin's words as the 'Stuckists' clearly believe they are not stuck and embrace their own personal practice. Thompson and Chilldish's manifesto defends the 'Stuckists' through mockery and sometimes comical forms ("e.g. a dead sheep") to comment on conceptual, pretentious art and express the 'correct' form of art, or what it should be.

  Firstly, one of the most well-known controversial claims in the Stuckists manifesto is

"4. Artists who don't paint aren't artists" (Thomson and Childish, 1999).

  This is an extremely strong statement to make, even for the 20th Century time period where art was evolving rapidly and the modernist art movement prevailed. Different forms of media other than painting were acceptable, and big names such as Damien Hirst were rapidly evolving into legendary artists through their new, innovative and original ideas they brought to the art world. The Stuckists, however, do not believe in this kind of conceptualist art. Their beliefs lie in traditional painting techniques which they claim is "the medium of self-discovery". This could be seen as authentic and true to 'real art', but what if this perception of art was only formed due to ancient methods used in art which were limiting at the time? Are the Stuckists really 'stuck' in the past as Tracey Emin suggests? Are they unable to accept a new wave of exceptional contemporary art? Painting is true in all its forms, but why should one's creative expression be limited to one form of media? It may not be realistic to paint an idea if an artist wishes to create a piece which involves and engages the viewer to a greater extent.

  Another issue raised in the Stuckists manifesto is yet another controversial declaration:

"5. Art that has to be in galleries to be art isn't art" (Thomson and Childish, 1999).

  This statement is quite true. Art should be able to be enjoyed wherever it is placed. The confinements of a white walled gallery limits how the artwork can be viewed. Galleries are in specific places, set up by those who are part of the art world, and are mainly known by those of similar tastes. This kind of art that can only be seen in galleries is hidden away from the public eye; it cannot be moved or bought. Therefore, what is the point of this art if it is just to stay in a confined room of lifeless white walls? It is impossible to understand why any artist wouldn't want to share their talent to a wider audience, only to be viewed within the walls of the pretentious art world. Art for the sake of being art is simply ridiculous. If an artist does not even express a personal emotion or convey some kind of meaning then what, exactly, is the point?

  The Stuckists are very set in their own ways; "6. The Stuckist paints pictures because painting pictures is what matters." (Thompson and Childish, 1999). They should be praised for their commitment to art and a desire to express themselves through painting, not for anyone else, just for the love of art. Even so, perhaps the Stuckists are really stuck. Perhaps they need to loosen the term 'art' and find out that art is not just about painting pictures, but it is also a way to communicate and change the world- artists have their own creative voice through their work, they might as well use it!

   Review by Carla Taylor.  

        Childish, B. and Thomson, C. (1999). The Stuckists [online]. Available from: <http://www.stuckism.com/stuckistmanifesto.html>. [Accessed 8 February 2013].

[adamcrosland-blog]

[adamcrosland-blog]

Me standing next to some art I gone and done and what I gone and done put in the Stuckist show in Bermondsey