My art mentor Victor Secuya always reminds me of how important it is for a serious artist to possess and practice artistic integrity. It is the glue that binds together every aspect of the creative process for which an artist displays his/her unwavering commitment to staying true to one’s artistic vision and values, even in the face of external pressures and trends. This unshakable dedication to authenticity is not just a virtue but a necessary principle that upholds the essence of artistry.
But what is really artistic integrity? Honestly , I find it difficult to explain this in simple words but I believe it would be easier to understand if we put a face as an example of artistic integrity. One of the best examples to cite as artistic integrity is Vincent Van Gogh, the Dutch impressionist painter well known for his “Starry Nights” and “Sunflower” paintings. Why? because he remained true to his unique artistic vision and style throughout his career, despite facing numerous challenges and hardships.
What are the key facets of Vincent’s artistic integrity?
- His unique style. He developed a distinctive style characterized by bold colors, thick brushstrokes, and a focus on capturing emotions and inner experiences in his paintings. His work did not conform to the academic art standards of his time.
- His personal expression. His art was a deeply genuine personal expression of his emotions and struggles. He used his work to convey his inner turmoil, mental health issues, and his connection to nature.
- His dedication to painting. Vincent was deeply committed to his craft and continued to paint prolifically, even when his work did not receive recognition or financial success during his lifetime.
- His authenticity. He painted what he felt and saw, staying true to his own artistic vision rather than conforming to popular trends or market demand.
- His perseverance. Despite facing financial hardship, mental health challenges, and a lack of recognition during his lifetime, he continued to paint because of his deep passion for art.
- Longevity of his art. He created timeless pieces of art.
In our local art scene I can also cite one that I believe exemplifies artistic integrity in the person of JC Gonzales. His unique brand of art of a one eye character distinguishes him from the rest. His fearless voice over sentiments of the current issues in the society is apparent in his art. The authenticity and dedication to his craft to continue doing it in spite of not much monetization of his artworks as it seems to many that they do not sit very well for decorative purposes but he stayed true to his own commitment to critique current issues in politics and life in general. Despite not monetizing his artwork and personally facing financial challenges, he continued to create deep artworks that mattered to him and not driven by commercial interest.
As for me, I am trying my best to adhere to artistic integrity but truth be told I am not yet at the level of the people I mentioned. I still do commercial commissioned works as a matter of financial survival just like the rest of struggling artists to stay afloat. Though, I believe I am already there creating my own authentic brand and style of art, dedicating myself to prolifically paint and muster my unique voice, artistic ideas and thoughts in a tight balancing act persevering financial challenges.
In conclusion, as a completion to my previous article of good artist copy, great artists steal. Though it is understandable for a new artist to be influenced and get inspiration from others, it also challenges them to transcend from mere imitation and create something new and meaningful. Nonetheless, it is paramount to develop artistic integrity as it is the compass that guides visual artists through their creative journey in pursuit of artistic excellence amalgamated with the balance between learning from others and using that knowledge to contribute to the ever-evolving world of art in a unique and innovative way and also ensuring that in the process our work remains genuine, emotionally resonant, and enduring. Admittedly, the path of artistic integrity is indeed very challenging, but it is the path worth pursuing for us who seek a remarkable journey in the world of arts towards creative excellence.
