June Issue 2002
A Few Words from Down Under
Summing Up The Curriculum Vitae
by Judith McGrath
A Curriculum Vitae, or Resume, is by definition
a brief summery of the subject's career to date. Applying that
interpretation to the artist's CV, it should provide a record
of the subject's artistic journey, annotating stops along the
way such as exhibitions and prizes won, and serve as an indication
of the subject's commitment to his or her practice. It should
be the one document that defines the subject as an "artist".
Well that's the theory anyway. But let's look at some facts.
As a document, the CV allows access to certain destinations in
the art world in much the same manner as a passport or driver's
license allows manoeuvrability in the real world. Unfortunately
there is one major difference between passport or driver's license
and CV; the former are issued by a government bureaucracy according
to set criteria while the latter is produced by the subject, for
the subject, often ad hoc, with no external supervision or validation.
Official documents have many functions, none of them intended
to impress while the single function of the CV as a document is
to be impressive. It celebrates who you are and what you do.
Consider Leonardo DaVinci's letter to Ludovico Sforza, Duke of
Milan, it certainly is the most impressive and celebratory Curriculum
Vitae I've ever read. In his letter Leonardo virtually claims
to do the impossible as he lists all manner of machines he felt
certain he could create, then closes with a comment about how
he could "do in painting, whatever may be done, as well as
any others, be he whom he may." When he penned his letter,
Leonardo summarised what he believed he was capable of achieving
not what he'd actually produced, and got the job. Today he would
be passed over in favour of another applicant only because he
didn't mention any past patron of importance. Contemporary artists
must present a CV that lists where they have exhibited and which
collections have their work. The modern CV does not consider the
subject's abilities, it merely testifies to their popularity.
It's a sign of the times; in 1482 if you wanted innovation you
looked for someone who could think laterally; in 2002 if you want
something "new" you look for someone who has done it
all before.
Leonardo's letter and other more contemporary CV's, started me
wondering about the accuracy of the document. Leo's highly impressive,
if slightly exaggerated, boasts were articulated in a formal letter
format while today CV's are written with bullet-point brevity
for easy skimming. However, abridging information often results
in expanding its interpretation, a reverse form of exaggeration
where less means more. For instance, on one artist's CV, one line
reads "1994 - Guest Lecturer at So & So Art School".
This simple statement implies the artist was sought out by the
institution and invited to spend a term (or semester, or year)
giving a series of lectures (or presenting practical classes,
or delivering a section of the syllabus) for a salary. The fact
is the artist gave a single half-hour talk to a small group of
students for which he was paid. I know, I asked him to do it because
he lived nearby and had an employment number, which saved time
and paperwork.
I know artists who present a different rendition of the same CV
in answer to various requests. All are factual, it's more of case
of putting the emphasis on certain aspects of their professionalism
according to the situation. If, for example, an artist is applying
for a "public art" commission, the CV will note all
educational achievements, prizes won, workshops (attended or given)
and community projects in which they've participated. This says
they are intelligent, popular and able to work with people. However
when applying for a grant to prepare for a solo exhibition, the
CV must present every group show, open competition, school fundraiser
and county fair the subject has entered. It's saying, "Paid
my dues, time for the Big Break Show". And of course when
applying for a job as an "art professional" every paid
or volunteer position ever held, in and out of the art world,
will be added. Fascinating reading, all of them.
Doubt is cast on the veracity of the document when you consider
how few art dealers check out a CV to determine its authenticity.
Where galleries or educational facilities from another city, state
or country are named on the document they are not contacted for
confirmation. Nor does anyone ascertain if the work representing
the artist in a particular collection listed on the CV was purchased
from, or donated by, the artist.
So what is the true worth of a CV as a document? In the primary
market it's highly valued as it is the deciding factor when galleries
select artists for their stable. Gallerists examine the CV looking
at the prestige factor; where the artist has exhibited and in
which collections they are represented, who has written about
the artist and where it was published. Art prizes won or where
the subject studied is not important as it is assumed competition
judges are only voicing personal opinions, and even reputable
art schools go through cycles of quality. Yes, gallerists do glance
at the artwork and even admit there are times when the sheer presence
of the work overshadows the CV. But more often, even when the
work is good, an artist is not selected to join a gallery if the
CV isn't impressive.
Meanwhile, in the secondary market the CV is valued not only for
being an indicator of the subject's celebrity but also because
it is a document that testifies to the worth of the artwork. When
a client is wavering, the CV confirms the purchase is a good investment
as it proves how long and where the artist has studied and practiced.
Here is one instance when big is better as a multi-page CV can
be a "deal closer".
I have to conclude that the importance of the CV as a document
is not dependent on what it says as much as how it is interpreted
and by whom. As a brief summery of a career to date or as a diary
of the subject's creative journey, the artist's CV has little
relevance to anyone other then the subject's mother. The truth
is, the artist's CV is a self-produced proclamation that the subject
is an "artist" and by extension, objects produced by
the subject are works of "art". In Leonardo's day, the
finished work declared it's maker an artist while today the object
cannot bear witness, only paperwork can do that. Considering how
an understanding for, or appreciation of, the art object is secondary
to being impressed by the CV, I firmly believe the Curriculum
Vitae is the only really important work of art an artist can produce!
It provides the greatest illusion of all, one of expertise.
Judith McGrath lives in Kalamunda, Western Australia. She is a freelance writer and reviewer for various art magazines in Australia. You can see more of her writing on her website at (www.artseen.vbw.com.au). A collection of her articles can be found at (www.CarolinaArts.com).
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