Right of Refusal

As the line between art and politics becomes increasingly blurred and the ongoing debate intensifies about the boundaries between aesthetics and politics, more artists are exercising their right to refuse participation in certain exhibits or spaces.  To young, struggling artists, this represents a dilemma of walking a fine line that is fraught with personal and professional peril.  The assigned readings on this issue and from class discussion, indicate that the politically motivated collectives do have an impact when the collective stays strong and works together. 

The costs to successful artists to take action, to set themselves apart and refuse – to stand behind their convictions – may be easier to bear than for lesser known artists, and their lack of participation could also cost the gallery more.  It would seem the greater the name recognition of the artist, the greater the strength of the collective, the greater impact their refusal might have.  Does it take less courage for a successful artist to refuse participation?

One of my classmates, exasperated with end of the semester work load expressed big plans for the future, “I can’t wait to get out of here, produce amazing art work and become a famous artist!”    And I wonder, on this journey to fame and possible fortune, what the possible ‘right of refusal’ might cost that promising and desired career. 

In my own practice, I have refused to participate in an Austin, Texas gallery panel discussion and accompanying exhibit because my documentary work from Afghanistan and Iraq would have been shown alongside the work of President George W. Bush’s personal White House photographer, Eric Draper.  We were to lead the panel and also speak separately on our photography.

                                             

It’s no secret of my liberal-leaning politics – in fact, I refused an assignment to be embedded with the U.S. troop on the invasion of Iraq because I didn’t believe in the war and didn’t want to glorify war or the military with my photography.  The photographer who went in my place, whose scruples apparently weren’t a problem, won the Pulitzer Prize.  There is sometimes a very dear price to be paid to exercise your artist’s right of refusal and have the courage to stand by your convictions.