Rhonda Kale on sat 4 jun 05
Hello all-
I have been following this thread about other artists who copy work. Brought back some memories from College......
There was a person who made pots in one of my classes. They were ok-not anything to crow home or get on the cover of Ceramics Monthly. Big honking, coiled things......Anyway, she had a habit of taking ideas from other's work and putting it into hers and then acting like she was the one who came up with it first. She had a bit of an abrasive personality and did not endear herself to anyone. Eventually she became one of the "blessed ones" who followed the artist-in-residence around. He got some of her pots sold for rather hefty prices ($500-1000 a pop),had a gallery reception,etc. With her success, she also became flushed with arrogance and became unbearably rude. Consequently, no one would work around her, discuss their ideas or show her anything without making sure that it was made clear that it was their idea and not hers.
She became a bit on the panicky side, when she had to rely on others for originality and not herself.She also did a bad thing.....She spent her money and found that she had no money to build the pots that she was commissioned to do. So she promptly used up all the clay in the clay room which had been purchased for the dept. for the entire semester! People also could not leave their clay lying around in the room anymore, even if it had their name on it. It would walk. Evenutally, she and the Great One fell out of favor with each other and he went on to the next newest wonder and she found herself in a bad position....Her pot commissions dried up and she found herself friendless, potless and not on the good side of professors. We were civil, but were wary of her from then on.
We all as students, were influenced by artists who came in-you could see it every time there was a new gallery exhibit. But you saw that it was an adaption, like music, "Variations on a Theme"-like Mozart. Also, we were not operating out of jealousy for her success, we saw it wasn't really real. It was stolen.
From this I learned several things-always try to be civil/nice even when you don't feel like it, when you do succeed, remember those who helped you get there, and whatever you do, it needs to be yours-because if it isn't, eventually the truth will out and your face/name will be mud.... I am strong believer in karma-if you do dooky to others, it comes back to you... To quote my husband's grandmother, MawMaw, "Well, it all comes clean on washday....."
Rhonda Kale
31.23595 N, 85.40529 W
Potters Council Member
qndivauniv@earthlink.net
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