A misfit is someone who does something or says something that sets them apart from others in a conspicuous way. A lot of artists consider themselves misfits. Whether it is because they didn’t play sports in high school, or because they didn’t hang out with the “cool kids”, we often consider ourselves outsiders looking in. As we grow older our perspectives shift and we start to see that as a positive. Being outsiders lets us see the world around us in a different way. Well, what happens when, as artists, our art itself sets itself apart in the same way. Be it the medium we use, the techniques, or the presentation, many of us create “misfit” art.
What is Misfit Art?
Misfit art is a term that a friend of mine, Liz Knapp from Northstar Creative, coined when we were trying to figure out a way to categorize what we do. We were discussing how traditional art, to this day, is still a dominant force in the fine art business. There are a number of reasons for this, I’m sure, but I think just the ubiquitous nature of the traditional mediums like oil on canvas give everyone a mental picture when someone talks about art. You think about great classical artists who created these memorable works that hang in prestigious museums. This is what we were brought up thinking of when we think of art.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I have a tremendous amount of respect for these mediums. There is good reason why they have been around so long. Once you acquire skill with a paintbrush you can create truly breathtaking pieces of artwork. That, however, leaves artists who create things in less traditional mediums in something of a challenging position. Art galleries are less likely to showcase your work, you don’t feel like you fit in in art shows, and jurors are less likely to pin a blue ribbon to your work if they simply don’t know how to gauge it against the more traditional mediums because they are not familiar with the techniques, the composition, or the raw materials.
Breaking in
Fortunately we live in an age where there are opportunities for non-traditional artists to grow. I am a part of the Guild of Charlotte Artists and, you’ll often see, among the oil, watercolor, and charcoal works, pyrography, digital art, pottery, basket weaving, and metal smithing. Some of my friends who were selected for prestigious awards here in Charlotte work in non-traditional mediums. It is a breath of fresh air to see the progression to a more well-rounded and diverse set of art forms.
I do think, however, that as non-traditional artists, we need a call-to-action for how we distinguish ourselves from the typical pieces you see on display at galleries across the country. I am going to start tagging my work with #misfitart and I encourage you to do the same if you feel your artwork doesn’t fit the mold of traditional. Let’s create a community of artists who challenge the status quo and do something truly unique and original.
Stay unique my misfit artist.
