There will always be names that are more well known than others in the art world. Think along the lines of the cubist art movement pioneer Pablo Picasso, the oil painting impressionist Claude Monet, or Michelangelo, known for his anatomically accurate painting and sculptures. However, these names have not been said in my studio art college courses as often as they were in my middle and high school art classes. In my college career, I have instead learned about several different artists with different backgrounds and identities that have broken the boundaries of what art truly looks like.
A prime example of an art history course that has showcased artists outside of the “big names” is Professor of Art and Art History, Asian Studies, and Russian Language and Area Studies Karil Kucera’s “Arts of China” class I’m in this semester. Looking through the St. Olaf Student Information System’s class and lab schedule art history class offerings, one can already notice the wide variety of topics: early medieval art, Indigenous art, Korean art, and Chinese art, to name a few. These courses cover decades to centuries of history through questions of how the pieces were created, how they were perceived in their own time, who or what class of people created the art, and the vast historical context that influenced the art. In the diversity of courses offered within the art department, I personally don’t feel as though we focus excessively on white artists, unlike my grade school art classes. With this diverse teaching, I think we focus on the fundamentals of art — the inspirational expression of the artist themselves.
Not all artists come from a scholarly source or book. In this digital age, you can research other artists and find creators who truly intrigue you through social media. Some artists are found through galleries and contemporary museums. Some are students in graduate programs that you may have the pleasure of meeting. There are so many artists out there who can only be found through connections or stumbling upon opportunities to meet and talk to them. Professors come from different backgrounds who specialize in different mediums and are always looking for different artists to showcase.
Art is rewarding. It’s a satisfying job, and it’s something that burns inside of people. We’re in a world that still has to acknowledge its racist, sexist, ableist, and homophobic ways. A world that for so many artists has dismissed, forgotten, and purposely left them out of history all over the world. Professors at St. Olaf usually acknowledges that some artists are popular, but have committed terrible actions. The art scene is messy and can be disheartening, but there is still beautiful art to learn about. You can support them however possible, and go out there as a young artist yourself as an inspiration to others who come from similar backgrounds and identities.
The opening of this year’s Senior Art Show on May 1 displayed the variety of ways students can do something completely jaw-dropping and gather an audience to appreciate their work. I was completely in awe of what the seniors made. The show was something that I’ve been eager to see and have heard a lot about, as I’ll be in that same situation next year myself. But noting the diversity in mediums and piece descriptions and physically seeing what they made really opens your eyes to what it means to be an artist — what you create, how it’s done, and how to be proud of your work to the extent of showcasing it to an audience.
Seeing the artists who worked with the same medium come up with something completely different from each other is inspiring, even hopeful, for future senior artists. It is my hope that it is also inspiring to anyone just beginning their beautiful journey of learning and exploring art.
