Art: A movement of and about the people, not the institutions

by Andre Guichard of Gallery Guichard

PHOTO: METROPOLIS/LEILA KHALED

Andre Guichard of Gallery Guichard pictured with "Calm Before The Storm" by artist Susan John-Baptist

When you think about it, art is very subjective. What is innovative and fresh to one person may be deplorable to another. The beauty of a cross section of collectors from different demographics and regions of the country is an objective vote.

An art critic, with their vast knowledge of art history, still has taste and an opinion. The opinion may or may not reflect or represent that of the collector base or the people at large. When a critic or decision maker of an institution is replaced, does that all of a sudden mean an artist's work just went from good to bad or vice versa?

Which is more important? An infrastructure of collectors or to be critically acclaimed?

If you ask prominent collectors across the city and country, they will tell you that art is a movement about the people by the people.

Everything has a beginning and there are grassroots efforts to all things. Art and Artists are no different. Their work and the people who collect it are as interconnected and interdependent as a mother and child. Take a look at the Bronzeville art movement and renaissance which has been a significant part of Bronzeville’s gentrification.

What is equally interesting is the same artists we see in our neighborhood galleries, like Gallery Guichard, travel where they are collected and adored all over the country. In many cases they out-sell many other nationally acclaimed artists and we have these celebrated resources at our fingertips.

As an artist grows so do his supporters and following. Very often, just as in the paternal relationship, you find the supporter is actually the true recipient of the gift. Art is also a wise investment because art appreciates. Those who support an artist will be able to watch their investment grow as he or she continues to be recognized nationally and by the mainstream.

The cycle continues with one collector acquiring multiple works by one artist from a different series. The same process repeats itself over and over. When you look back, the artist has built a village of collectors who create an infrastructure as the cycle is repeated over and over with many different artists and collectors.

The process and experience is rich and fulfilling for the artist and collector. Because of the intimate personal nature of the collecting process, this part of the experience is often missed or misunderstood.

Art is something that touches the soul and enriches ones life. What is good? Art that speaks to you personally. As a new collector, buy what moves you. Buy what you love. Our art and artists are national treasures and they and our institutions should be celebrated and supported. I look forward to introducing you to several of our artists and the people who collect them in the next few issues of Metropolis.

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