Therefore, eOinc. announces that, Shell Collection will be eOinc.’s final exhibition, and the last in a successful programme including f3Xit, col-aberration, re-View and Kvinna-Nainen-Women. Earlier in the organization’s life, it was the agency that sent four Central Coast artists to an Environmental Art Symposium in Korea, and the foundation organization for the Dawn Light Symposium at the Gosford Regional Gallery in 2005.
Central Coast artists Meredith Brice Copland, Sandy James and Maumer Cajic in Cheongju.
Meredith and Sandy proudly display their eO T-shirts
This is not the occasion to detail why it is so difficult for independent artist-directed organizations, or individuals, to be positively engaged in contemporary art in the region. It is enough to say that the art community is diminished by the ending of eOinc. The details are well known, and constitute the hill up which, inevitably, one gets tired of pushing shit.
It is not surprising if artists decide to just get on with their work, and go somewhere where there are more people pushing in the same direction. In these times when the scope of art is global, Gosford needs leading edge artists more than the artists need Gosford.
Engagement is not so difficult if the forms pursued fit the cultural paradigms in vogue, but critical practice will always contest orthodoxy, even in its experimental guise.
Yet despite this, there is a core of contemporary artists who live locally and who would like to see local practice able to participate in the broader intellectual and critical milieu that constitutes contemporary art. It is tragic to see the passion and enthusiasm, the time and effort, the generous community spirit, worn down.
But – don’t be surprised if a few ex-eO members pop up unexpectedly. They might have been pushed to the fringes, but there be a feral and fertile place to play.
3 comments:
Sorry to read about eO’s demise – unfortunately most artist driven initiatives have a limited shelf life - as egos, agenda’s, and aims morph. Eo survived three incarnations that I know of, and as each committee changed, a new set of challenges emerged.
I am thankful for the eO experience, because, like university, you find out who you can, and cannot work with. You realise that not all artists are ethical, or share similar values. Competition within the ranks leads to personality clashes, and this can be a deciding factor as to whether you are willing to share your leisure time with a pack of emerging artists. There is productive side to this type of energy or tension - eO has produced some significant exhibitions.
I wouldn’t go as far to say “the community is diminished by the ending of eOinc”, as the editor states. For every ending, there is new life.
Hi Jillian, I am not sure which "incarnation" of eO you were involved with because I saw little to none of what you have described here, since I took on the role as Treasurer. I particularly object to the notion of competition within the "ranks"; I don't understand what we would be competing for? (I am also not sure which ranks you mean as there were few who were willing to take on the work involved). Making a living, raising families, studying et.al. proved to be obstructions to making eO all it could be, not egos, agendas nor aims. Unpaid, unrewarded energy can only be sustained for so long. Thank goodness for eO, for without it, I would not have had the wonderful opportunity to work with passionate, clever artists and to meet a whole variety of fantastic people. Cheers.
I agree with this part of Jillian's comment,that "like University you find out who you can, and cannot work with. You realise that not all artists are ethical, or share similar values". Here in the space that is University life, the true identity of "emerging artists" is continually revealed. And what is found is most unpleasant, though not completely unexpected.
Then revelations after the event, stand as witness to back-up that initial belief.
The third incarnation that was eO was a most friendly, and uncompetitive experience, each of us was dedicated to bringing contemporary works to the Coast and beyond,this was done by collaborating with fine and respected artists,thank you.
Those who feel as if eO in it's final incarnation was merely a group of unskilled amateurs, should indeed not mingle with these types, for the lowering of one's standards is not what eO's objective was.
Furthermore one should not place themselves in an uncomfortable and unpleasant environment, for eO would then indeed have been considered, amateurish.
It is interesting to note however that eO was still considered good value for some when eO was seen as a remedy for personal projects, when "a pack of emerging artists", would have sufficed in serving a specific agenda, the shame.
Sleep well, sweet dreams, for it is true that eO has come to an end, however new life there will be.
We thank all those artists whose leisure time they set aside, and whose artistic skills they were willing to share, not keep selfishly to themselves.
For without you dear eO artist, friendships would not have flourished, and dreams would not have become a reality.
To those who feel a need to bag people who strive to do their very best, whom set aside a whole lot of energy and time away from their growing families, not for their own agendas and vices, but to fulfill the expectations and commitments of others, no matter how unprofessional the outcome maybe.
I would like to say, next time please leave your ego and your verbal diarrhoea at the door for it only serves to undermine everyone's efforts and valuable family time, time that cannot be reclaimed... unless of course this is your intention?
Many thanks,
Betty
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