AN ART STUDIO RUN BY ARTISTS
In the hushed corners of artist-run studios, creativity takes on an authentic life of its own. These spaces, managed by the very hands that are engaged in making, are more than studios – they are reflections of the practice that artists engage in. We began AO with the intention of building a space where we could share different ways of art making, but it also became increasingly clear, that being artists ourselves, our studio was first a reflection of the authenticity to making we always pinned for.
The space at Tag. A was first imagined as a sanctuary for us where we could inspire our own imaginations and bring it to life. Unlike commercial studios or sterile workspaces, artist-run studios have works on the walls, their tables often a showcase of a day’s worth of mark making- where the activity of making is a day to day affair.
Rebels with a Cause!
We want to rebel against the thought of “I could never draw”. It’s interesting that as artists with an education background, we hear this so often both in children and adults. What we have come to learn is that the type of guidance you get really matters. When the instructions are informed by experiences in making that we ourselves constantly engage in, we’re able to provide more authentic instructions, and the speed of change can be quite stunning.
Furthermore, artists are, by nature, boundary-breakers. They challenge norms, question conventions, and redefine the limits of creativity. An art studio run by artists is our way of reflecting this spirit, acting as a space where creative barriers are dismantled, and experimentation is encouraged.
So at the the artist-run studio, we’re really first and foremost, rebels with a cause.
Artists as makers.
Whatever the term is, the core intention in recognising that is a constant reminder that we have to always be engaged in the making. If we are only focused on the teaching, and not also on the making, then as individuals trying to share the craft, it will inevitably become a very disengaged one.
As artists, we also strive more to connect than to instruct. It was always first and foremost a space where people could come and be in touch with their creative minds, rather than be instructed on how to be creative. We dislike formulaic ideas on how to be! That just inherently goes against the very idea of what it means to be creative.
Unpredictability is wonderful
So much is lost in art making, if we don’t actually enjoy the unpredictability of it’s process. Art can be messy and chaotic, but that is also where fun and enjoyment is experienced! Instead of trying to systemise an outcome (sometimes, with the invisible hand of an instructor “ahem!”), an artist-run studio is our way of saying that it’s even more important to focus on the process rather than the outcomes.
It’s always assumed that when art is messy, it’s ugly, but the truth is there is also skills in learning (that actually requires control!) to work through that and shape the work into one that is aesthetically pleasing. At the end of the day, in embracing the unpredictability of creativity, we become brave and courageous through the process.
Painter Jackson Pollock, a pioneer of the abstract expressionist movement, embraced the messiness of his artistic process. His iconic "drip paintings" are a testament to the beauty that can emerge from controlled chaos.
“I have no fear of making changes, destroying the image, etc., because the painting has a life of it’s own.”
THE BEST IS YET TO COME
In conclusion, an art studio run by artists transcends the conventional notion of an art enrichment centre. It becomes a realm where creativity is nurtured, boundaries are challenged, and we can find our artistic voice through experimentation and play.
Artistic journeys are often marked by moments of self-doubt and uncertainty. Through this space run by artists, we want to cultivate a supportive community, where everyone will be able to engage in the joy of their own artistic expressions.
Our first studio space, designed and set up in November 2023
