Shea Hembrey: How I became 100 artists

TL;DR

An artist takes matters into their own hands and creates an entire biennial art exhibition, complete with fictional artists and their unique works.

Transcript

I'm a contemporary artist with a bit of an unexpected background. I was in my 20s before I ever went to an art museum. I grew up in the middle of nowhere on a dirt road in rural Arkansas, an hour from the nearest movie theater. And I think it was a great place to grow up as an artist because I grew up around quirky, colorful characters who were gre... Read More

Key Insights

• 🎭 Growing up in rural Arkansas, the artist was surrounded by colorful characters who were skilled at making things with their hands and had a unique mix of hick and intellectual qualities.
• 🍎 Despite living in a remote location, the artist's family valued reading and watching documentaries, shaping their intellectual curiosity from a young age.
• 🎨 The artist is frustrated with the contemporary art world for its lack of accessible work and craftsmanship.
• 💡 The artist decided to start their own biennial exhibition to showcase artwork that is both intellectually stimulating and well-crafted.
• 👵 The artist uses their "Mimaw's Test" to determine if a work of art can be explained to their grandmother in five minutes - if not, it needs more refinement.
• 🤲 The artist's "three H's" criteria for great art are head (interesting intellectual ideas), heart (passion and soul), and hands (craftsmanship).
• 🌍 Instead of traveling the world to find artists, the artist decided to invent 100 fictional artists from around the world and create their artwork themselves over two years.
• 🔍 The artist showcases a wide range of art styles and techniques, including realist paintings, performance, short films, indoor and outdoor installations, and more.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did the artist's unusual upbringing influence their artistic perspective?

The artist's rural background and exposure to colorful characters who were skilled craftsmen shaped their unique perspective on art. Growing up surrounded by individuals who were great at making things with their hands, the artist developed a deep appreciation for craftsmanship.

Q: What were the artist's frustrations with the contemporary art scene and how did it inspire them to start their own biennial?

The artist felt that contemporary art often lacked accessibility and exquisite craftsmanship. They sought out international art exhibitions but couldn't find what they were looking for. This lack of appeal and craftsmanship motivated the artist to create their own biennial, where they could curate and showcase works that met their criteria.

Q: How did the artist go about selecting the artwork for their biennial?

The artist established criteria for selecting artworks, including the ability to explain the piece in five minutes and the presence of intellectual ideas, passion, and craftsmanship. They decided to invent fictional artists from around the world and create their artworks, giving them full control over the selection process.

Q: How did the artist approach various mediums and techniques for the artworks in the biennial?

The artist's biennial featured a range of mediums and techniques, including realist paintings, performance art, short films, indoor and outdoor installations, and more. They enjoyed experimenting with different techniques and craftsmanship, from highly detailed paintings to using natural elements like rain and butterfly specimens to create art.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The artist grew up in a rural area with limited exposure to art, but was surrounded by creative individuals who inspired their artistic journey.

• Frustrated with the contemporary art scene, the artist decides to organize their own biennial art exhibition, focusing on accessibility and craftsmanship.

• To make their vision a reality, the artist invents a hundred fictional artists from around the world and creates their artworks.