How to Talk About Personal or Vulnerable Work

If you're making work that comes from somewhere deeply personal, how much do you actually have to tell people about where it came from? I've been thinking about this because it's something that comes up quite often when I'm working with artists. Perhaps you've been through a bereavement, an illness, a relationship ending, a difficult childhood, or something else that has affected you profoundly. Inevitably, that experience has found its way into the studio. Then you get to the point where the work has to leave the studio. You need to write about it. Somebody asks you about it in a studio visit. You're writing your About page or preparing for an artist talk and suddenly there's this question: how much do I say? I think that's a really interesting question because there's a difference between something being important to the work and thinking you have to explain it publicly. Some artists are extraordinarily open about their lives. For those artists, that degree of revelation became part of their language. You may want to do that too, or you may want to say a lot less about your experiences. This episode will help you to get the balance right, for you. KEY TAKEAWAYS Think about boundaries and what you want to share before you publish. Once something is part of your public story, people will ask about it. What feels right to share mid-processing may not feel right in five or ten years. Give people enough context to open the door, then stop. Think less about how brave you ought to be. Think more about what information genuinely helps somebody meet the work. Sometimes explaining everything can actually make the work smaller. The story can also follow you for years. BEST MOMENTS "The person looking at the work doesn't necessarily need the details of what happened, who it happened to, when it happened or what you went through. You get to decide where that boundary sits." "We sometimes confuse honesty with disclosure. “Making vulnerable work doesn't mean you have to make yourself vulnerable in every situation in which that work is discussed… You can be deeply courageous in the studio and have very clear boundaries outside it.” "Sometimes explaining everything can actually make the work smaller." PODCAST HOST BIO With over 35 years in the art world, Ceri has worked closely with leading artists and arts professionals, managed public and private galleries and charities, and curated more than 250 exhibitions and events. She has sold artworks to major museums and private collectors and commissioned thousands of works across diverse media, from renowned artists such as John Akomfrah, Pipilotti Rist, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer and Vito Acconci. Now, she wants to share her extensive knowledge with you, so you can excel and achieve your goals. **** Ceri Hand Coaching Membership: Group coaching, live art surgeries, exclusive masterclasses, portfolio reviews, weekly challenges. Access our library of content and resource hub anytime and enjoy special discounts within a vibrant community of peers and professionals. Ready to transform your art career? Join today! https://cerihand.com/membership/ **** Unlock Your Artworld Network Self Study Course Our self-study video course, "Unlock Your Artworld Network," offers a straightforward 5-step framework to help you build valuable relationships effortlessly. Gain the tools and confidence you need to create new opportunities and thrive in the art world today. https://cerihand.com/courses/unlock_your_artworld_network/ **** Book a Discovery Call Today To schedule a personalised 1-2-1 coaching session with Ceri or explore our group coaching options, simply email us at [email protected] **** Discover Your Extraordinary Creativity Visit www.cerihand.com to learn how we can help you become an extraordinary creative. This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/