I got a D in General Studies ‘O’ Level at school. My teachers told me I should read more newspapers. But reading newspapers wasn’t a thing I wanted to do. I suppose I’ve always been more interested in the abstract side of things - art, daydreaming, novels, fantasies, imagination. That’s not to say that I didn’t care about things. In my teens I hand-painted ‘McDonald’s Murder Burger’ T-shirts and sold them in Grass Roots bookshop in Manchester (one of my teachers even bought one). I went to hear Bruce Kent (CND) speak and to an anti-Trident demo with my German and French teachers where we all lay down in the road and drew chalk lines around ourselves. I desperately wanted to go hunt sabbing, but my parents wouldn’t let me.
Since then I’ve had a chip on my shoulder about not knowing stuff, and it’s true, I don’t know much stuff. Current affairs-type stuff. Or more precisely, I learn things and then forget the facts. I struggle to retain them. So I often avoid voicing my opinion about things because I know I won’t be able to back up my arguments. I dislike this about myself and I’m trying to be better. Some of it comes down to confidence, of course. I mean, we’ve all heard people spouting absolute bullshit with such confidence that people believe they’re speaking the truth. Mentioning no names. I’m not the bullshitting type though - I value authenticity and integrity.
Why I’m thinking about all this is because on Instagram there’s a groundswell of opinion, particularly in relation to the genocide in Gaza, that people should be using their platforms to voice their opposition, and not to worry about whether that’s going to affect their businesses or reputation. I agree. Some things are just too monstrous, too appalling to keep quiet about. But also there’s an element of shaming involved - if we don’t speak up now, we’ll never be forgiven. Is that fair? I’m not sure. Maybe some people feel genuinely too vulnerable to be open about their opinions. Maybe someone’s livelihood could be harmed to such an extent that it affects their life and well-being, their mental health. Then we have more damaged people, which isn’t what we want.
For my part, I’m becoming more politically vocal on Instagram. I guess the shaming got to me a bit. I don’t want to make political art, but the fact that I can make art freely is in itself political. I am privileged to be able to do that. I can use my art for good by taking part in, for example, Artists Supporting Palestine. But also, having worked with a *values-based marketing coach for the past year I realise that only posting pictures of my paintings shows one dimension of me. Sharing political opinions and other things that I’m passionate about is sharing my values and strengthening my community. Yeah, it’ll alienate some but I think there are enough people to go round that it’s possible to sell art to people you actually like and align with - so, good riddance to them!
It’s not without a level of discomfort that I’ve written this, for obvious reasons. I feel a bit vulnerable now. But I guess the whole point of this is about sticking your head above the parapet, if you feel safe to do so - and a little vulnerability isn’t a bad thing. It just means you’re human.
*If you want to get into values-based, ethical marketing for your art check out John Allsopp (sellyourart.blog). He’s very good.