How can a strictly amateur self taught artist get to exhibit at the Tate Gallery.?

Question

I heard on the UK radio this morning that a relatively unknown artist is allowed to exhibit a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and the painting has been descibed bu professional critics as awful and amateurish. In the past "artists" have been awarded large sums of money for such art as ' A PILE OF BRICKS ' , an ' UNMADE BED ' etc. How ?

Answer 1

Do you understand contemporary art? Conceptual art lies in the idea, thoery, or philosophy underlying the art, not in the execution of it. Art critics are extremely well educated in art theory and the movements within contemporary art. While you may not always agree with their opinions (because neither do I) you have to respect that they know what they are talking about.
If you want to make it big, I would suggest getting enrolled at a well respected art school and beef up on your theory, that way the underlying concepts of your art will be strong. Take advantage of the constructive criticism offered by your peers and professors, it can only make your work better, since technical perfection does not necessarily produce "great" art.
Also, being enrolled in an institution will give you tons of opportunites to show your work and build strong networks of connections in the artworld.
Good luck, maybe I'll be writing about you someday.

Answer 2

Everyone has different opinions about art, 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder', as they say. Or, in the case of most art galleries, beauty and worth is judged by the curators who put exhibitions together. And art critics, who form poeple's opinions on what is good and waht is bad ;-)

I am not sure if you mean *you* are a non professional artist who wants to get exhibited at the Tate OR you are are asking how an 'awful' painting of the Queen got exhibited. If it is the latter, then I imagine someone saw *something* of merit in the painting. Anyway, it would be highly unlikely that a non-professional artist got exhibited at the Tate. You would only get spotted and recognised by the Art Establishment if you were creating work and exhibiting it on a serious, professional (full time) basis.

As for the pile of bricks and unmade bed, they were part of a different tradition of art. Artists always try to push the boundaries. Though, to my horror, some professional guy has 'exhibited' a totally empty gallery in Cardiff this week which even I, a trained artist, find a bit absurd :-D

Answer 3

Try contacting the Tate themselves and asking what their criteria is for exhibiting - generally though, even though the artist are considered 'unknown' they often have sponsors or such like similar people who have their own contacts..... Perhaps you should try exhibiting at lesser known Galleries first - that way you can 'network' (get to know/make friends with) people in the 'artworld' in general and find your own connections and sponsors.....

Answer 4

Don't put artists in quotation marks.

Go take some art history lessons and educate yourself.

Answer 5

Luck of the drawer