Ellen Scobie | Verosimile

I want to start off by saying I don't intend this post to be a criticism of Angela Grossman, whose work I admire very much. But I'd like to comment on the irony of the Call for Submissions of an exhibit she's curating on the theme of exclusion. I quote, "Negotiating the ever-shifting maze of the art world industry is a Sisyphean task. Its rewards are well known: credibility, status, fame, wealth and (often fleeting) historical significance. The costs of failure are legion: shame, huge art school debts, derision and quite often, low or no income. Many artists have become critical and disinterested in the dominant pathways to ‘success’ and the increasing power of institutions, art schools, Biennials, art fairs and market driven blockbusters. In this time of shape shifting economy the view from ‘outside the gates’ may be the more interesting one."

Further on, Grossman's biography is written up in the conventional way for an artist of her stature, referencing such institutions as The Art Newspaper, Royal Academy, Slade School of Fine Art, Royal College of Art, Concordia University, Ottawa University and Emily Carr University, whose role in the "dominant pathways to success" is implicit. Given the subject matter of this proposed exhibit, I find it ironic that the curator's bio would be presented in a manner which establishes her authority by way of association with the very institutions which presumably are here open for criticism.

Sisyphus and Tantalus, 1500-1600 Anonymous, Italian or Spanish, early 16th century Italian Pen and brown ink; 6 x 5-3/4 in. (15.2 x 14.6 cm) Gift of Cornelius Vanderbilt, 1880 (80.3.288) Collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

BTW, I looked up Sisyphean as my knowledge of Greek mythology is woefully lacking. I like this definition: "Sisyphean - both extremely effortful and futile" (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Sisyphean). It refers to the labours of Sisyphus, an unlucky chap who was punished by the gods for his earthly misdeeds by being condemned to push a large boulder up a hill. Just as he neared the top, the boulder rolled down to the bottom, causing Sisyphus to resume his task once again. For more, read Michael Quinion's summary, http://www.worldwidewords.org/weirdwords/ww-sis1.htm.

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Ellen Scobie is a visual artist melding the traditional art forms of painting, photography and printmaking. Learn more about her art at www.verosimile.com