Is there racial discrimination towards artists in the US?

[ehoeveler]

Someone I know claims that yes, there is and that she's leaving America forever. I disagree, I think we are all discriminated against in the art world! E

[johnwalkeasy]

I would think there is some discrimination in the art market. But I think that it,s not really an issue that cannot be overcome. And I also think that the discrimination in the U.S. is a lot less of a factor. Than any where else in the world. Is there discrimination against artist in general. Well, I've ran across a few gallery owners who acted as though they would be doing you a faver by placing your work in thier gallery. So, in that kind of way artist are somewhat discriminated against. Race has little to do with that. But some of us may feel it,s race related. And in some cases it may very well be. If it,s a yes or no. I,ll say no.

[ehoeveler]

I'm tellin' ya! I wrote back to this person saying that I'm white and my
pictures look decent but I still get the 'bums' rush' from NYC to Atlanta
99.9% of the time! Not only that, I have a sister in NYC who sells art to
large corporations and I still can't get an 'in'.
John, did you ever try to contact the Ba
ara Archer Gallery in Atlanta?
I really think she'd like some of your work like the crazy guitar, etc.
E

[johnwalkeasy]

E, No, as of yet, I have not. At present I,m trying to improve on what I am trying to do. Also any work that I would show to a gallery would need to be framed. Also, I would like to have a body of work. Maybe 10 or 15 works. Framed and with a matt finish. Thank you very much for sugesting that gallery.

[DLKeur]

In my opinion, the only discrimination is: Can the gallery make money off of your work? Can your artwork stir controversy and create a media event?

This subject is so tasty, I'm going to blog about it, though. No sense boring everyone with one of my looooong, parenthetically belabored posts.

[JayRoler]

ehoeveler,

your friend left the USA for good? yikes!!!! i would MAYBE do it for political reasons, but i think race is a non-issue when it comes to art in the USA. in fact, (dare i say this possibly non-PC statement???): many art buddies of mine will use their race to their advantage.

we all know spin is needed, more so today than 20 years ago, and i have seen ppl bank on their race and their socio-economic background, and even a possible disability... or a combo of these.

ehoeveler - where (may i ask) did your friend flee to?

[FatimaA]

the discrimination in the U.S. is a lot less of a factor. Than any where else in the world. Race has little to do with that. But some of us may feel it,s race related. And in some cases it may very well be. If it,s a yes or no. I,ll say no.[/quote]

I think you are absolutely right John, compare to other countries race discrimination in US has very little to do with that.

[ehoeveler]

You are funny, Jay! She wants to go to London. E

[Erika Takacs]

It sounds as an obvious and easy excuse. Erika

[ehoeveler]

Yeah, really: As a matter of fact, I have an African-American friend
who is a good painter, granted, but people were even more all over her because she is Black!
E

[TDD42]

I was reading the responses. What was the outcome? If there is discrimination, is it a negative or positive?

[ehoeveler]

It turns out to be subjective. Discrimination, like art, validates itself
in the eye of the beholder. E

[Carmelo]

Aye E, the eyes of the art world, at least some small portion of it, are upon us. Let us show them we are as diverse as the colors upon our paintings, photos etc. To make art and to show what we make invites all kinds of commentary pro and con. As for discrimination, I should think what there is may not be about race at all, more about taste and hype and what's in or out. Forgive my late call on this one, I,m new to the computer forum thing as well as online art exposure. It's all good if it's art and the creating of art, the showing of and discussion of art etc.

[ehoeveler]

Valid point Carmelo, on taste, hype and what's in or out! E