No Bars Hold...
Seriously...NO SERIOUSLY! Why am I being blackballed? Do they not think I can make jewelry like this? The judges just blacked balled me again! My father would roll over in in grave if he knew this was going on, give me a good explanation on why they don't think I make my own jewelry. I getting pretty sick of this. I sculpt every piece I make... I can sculpt an orchid 3mm wide or I can sculpt a piece 20" wide... an artist can do this...why do they not think I can?
Replies
Blackball is a strong word. It seems to imply that a judge or group of judges has predetermined that you should not get into any of their shows. That is hard to believe.
Do you keep a record of what you applied with (review your Zapp archives if you have them)? Do you use the same pics year after year? Perhaps you should find jewelers (that you like) that got acceptances to these shows and ask them what images they apply with. Maybe they are doing something you are not.
I find the work that I apply with that gets me into 90% of my Florida shows, gets me into a much smaller percentage of shows up north. As a painter, I paint only in one style but I have paintings in different subject matters and price points that I can use to apply. For this summer season I was very careful to send in very consistent images but at a variety of price points. It's worked for me so far, but I have not gotten all of my results back. I have had one major defeat; I was rejected by the show that was my biggest success last year. I reviewed my last 2 years images and they were similar quality; but it is still my fault, not the judges'. I will have to re-adjust for next year. You should do the same.
This is a very competitive business, most people taste defeat more than victory. Just look at the jury odds in the industry literature. A lot of shows accept only 1 in 3 or 4 applicants; some are as high as 1 in 8 and higher. I assume most of those rejected are (like you) well qualified for any show. Don't take it personally.
Patricia...I think you have something there. Add the pics, my bench to my bio, statement, etc...but bring them back to why I create my work. Let the pictures do my talking when they are interested in how it's made. Thanks!
LOL...did you see my Ghost Orchid Sculpture? My first bronze sculpted piece.
What we are all missing here is that just because you are not accepted at a show does not mean that someone didn't appreciate your artwork or that they don't understand it or think it is buy/sell etc. I have a very small show and we limit the number of jewelers we set. With the number of applications of jewelry we get, alot of very good jewelers don't get invited. When you have something like 4 apps for each space, can 3 of them be crap and only one good? I mean it when I write on people's rejection letters that "many very good artists were not accepted due to the high number of apps and the limit on spaces." Regarding the jury during the show, it would be rare for a juror not to show some personal bias towards what he or she likes. Unfortunate, but it happens.
"Blackball is a strong word. It seems to imply that a judge or group of judges has predetermined that you should not get into any of their shows. That is hard to believe".
Dan, Believe it. When you see a judge come to your booth, looks at your hard work and say's "Don't bother!!!, with a smirk on her face...you can't help taking it personally.
I do know when someone with confidence says, "I know about lost wax"...they have confidence in their face.
Dawn:
Back to your original post. I agree blackball is too strong a word. You were seen by a judge who had gas or just didn't like cast work. You say you are a new show jeweler, I believe, in another thread. I suggest you develop a thicker skin. At least the judge came into you booth. My jewelry has been judged from the aisle. I once came in third to a guy who cut out the backgrounds on silver dollars and someone stringing large beads. Oh boy. As a fabricator that hurt. I was the only one who could actually solder.
The public is going to ask you if your work is pmc. With your motif someone will ask if its from China. Many will ask if you are the artist. And so it goes. I grind my teeth every time the jeweler with the biggest gemstones wins over me. I'm not a bling jeweler, so of course I think my work is far better. Learn to roll with it. I like saving up the stories of "rejection" to share with my fellow artists. We all play top this! and laugh ourselves silly.
You weren't blackballed or disrepected. You were seen by a judge who obviously didn't care for cast work. So? That's life on the show circuit. Some people like my fabricated work, some like my neighbors bling. Neither is wrong. Both styles of jewelry are equally compelling. And no one will win the prizes at all shows.
hth
C
C,
I do not want to win all of the shows. I just want the judges to understand Lost Wax, as well as Fabrication, Photography, Abstract, Sculpture, Realist Painting, etc...and then I want them to look at the work and judge it's quality and what my creative work says to them as a piece of art. After all isn't that what art really is? Or am I just expecting too much?
As far as the judge with gas or who didn't care for cast work...I would hope that a judge would be unbiased and would at least try to keep an open mind when viewing each entry. But as you've pointed out, this is not always the case. And yes, I'm sure we could tell some stories!
Unfortunately, when a judge passes judgement on my work, or anyone else's work with preconcieved bias or without being prepared to consider each entry for all it's merit...it is disrespectful of the artist's time, talent, and considerable effort. That's something that all of us as artists take very personally...but as you say, we have to grind our teeth, or whatever we have to do, and let it pass. But...wouldn't it be wonderful if we could somehow get the message across to the show promoters that the selection of qualified judges needs to include more than academic accomplishments? I hope that's what this forum is all about...at least in part.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Beautiful work, Dawn.
We all know the challenges in the jewelry category for getting into the shows, and I'm sure you do too. I don't think your rejection, or not winning an award (I'm not sure of the original motivation of your post), has to do with the process you use. I think it is just the competition for the prize/award and the subjective nature of judging. Lots of wonderful jewelers out there and only so many spaces. Sometimes you are chosen and sometimes you aren't.
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