Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Sour Grapes?

Something interesting, and upsetting, happened yesterday that I thought I would share with you all — and hopefully get some comments & opinions.

As I have written in earlier posts, I have been printing my photographs on canvas. The printed photos are gallery wrapped on stretchers so that frames are not necessary.


Canvas printing is becoming popular with both photographers and the public, and I love the way the images look. They are clearly displayed as photographs — there is no attempt to make people think they are paintings.

I had submitted an application to the South Folk Artist Guild for their juried, July 12 show in Westhampton. I only submitted the application three weeks ago, and since it was sent in so late, I knew there was a good chance that the quota for photographers was filled. Yesterday I received a rejection, with two reasons cited. First was what I had anticipated — the category was full. However, the hand written note went on to say that they had waited to contact me to see if there were any cancellations. Finally,the note said that the jury also decided not to allow photographs on canvas, because the painters were complaining!

Thinking back a few years ago, traditional photographers were wary of digital photography, and many art shows and exhibits prohibited digital media. Today it is rare to find someone shooting with film and/or printing in a darkroom. I see the printing on canvas issue as similar. What do you think?

3 comments:

  1. The judges were/are just plain wrong. They do not know talent when they see it. They are acting like art critics who only "know" what they know.
    Besides that what do they know!!
    Said in my usual objective way, your loving husband,
    Eddie, upstairs resident.

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  2. Like many others it seems to be fear founded upon ignorance. If you are not trying to pass off a photo on canvas as a painting on canvas what do the painters have to be worried about. I thought artists were supposed to be open-minded to different forms of expression!

    My 2 cents.

    JV
    Nazareth,PA

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  3. I like the pictures you put on the Canvas. If Dad and I need to slap some people around we'll do it!

    Love,
    Brian
    All the way from Japan.

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