Your Art Won’t Be For Everyone

I wish someone had said this to me when I was just starting as an artist.

You can’t live a creative life and stay universally liked.

Not all art is universally enjoyed; that is a rule of art. Meaningful art challenges norms, whether aesthetic, cultural, or political. Whenever an artist says something new, someone is bound to disagree. The tension that exists between the work and the view is a sign of originality being present in the work.

Making work that everyone likes leads to making diluted, safe, and boring work. The art often ends up saying nothing. The strongest artistic voices are the ones that dare to speak up and have a message. By disagreeing with the standard, established norms, you can pave the way for new artistic movements and create your own signature style.

Of course, criticism stings. No one likes hearing negative things about their work. But this is all part of the process. To make any sort of work, you have to learn to expect criticism. Some of it is baseless, but some can be used as a foundation to build upon. Often, having flaws pointed out leads to better, more cohesive work. Incorporate the feedback and learn from it, but then again, do not be affected by the judgment of someone you would not take advice from. 

At TERAVARNA, we know that supporting diverse, global artists means embracing art that can often be “unlikable.” Moreover, art is always subjective and can be developed upon in various ways for an infinite period of time.

However, it’s important to remember that being misunderstood is often a byproduct of being authentic. Art should be by you, and for you first; the target audience will find their way eventually. So, don’t give up. 🙂