At the end of the Winter semester, I often have students ask me what they can be doing over the summer to keep their artistic practice growing and moving forward and besides the obvious advice to try and keep their vocal and physical practices consistent, I always encourage folks to get out and see/experience as much as they can- go to galleries, walk in nature, read, read, read! Be open to new ideas and invite inspiration wherever possible– look beyond your discipline, step into worlds you wouldn’t normally inhabit, or even those you just don’t have time for during the regular academic year.
In that spirit, I thought I would share some of the things I have encountered this summer that I have found particularly inspiring and I will start with one of my favourite books of my year so far; “Old in Art School” by Dr. Nell Irvine Painter.
This memoir follows Dr. Painter’s journey as she retires from Princeton University where she had a hugely influential and celebrated career as a historian and details her decision to return to school in her sixties as an undergraduate student to complete a BFA in painting and then her subsequent journey into grad school completing an MFA at the Rhode Island School of Design. Besides her observations on how rampant racism, ageism and sexism are in both the academy and the art world, she keenly dissects the notion that only those who are deemed talented and/or possessing that “it” factor may identify as a “real” artist and all the baggage that those of us who dare to identify as artists must unpack in this regard. She goes on to explore the gatekeeping that is so prevalent the crippling impostor syndrome that more often than not accompanies one’s journey through grad school and the life of an emerging artist.
I could relate to Painter’s story on so many levels – although I am a middle-class white woman (which gives me a certain level of privilege) I can attest to the unbridled ageism and sexism I faced– not so much during my MFA (completed in my early 40’s) but throughout my PhD (started in my late 40’s and completed in my early 50’s). I have SO many stories (which I will save for another time!) and to be honest, still face today as an artist and academic. In truth, (and at the risk of sounding overly dramatic here) working through the challenges that my intersectionality score as a woman in her fifties placed me at, as I fought to establish myself in academia and continue to grow as an artist has become a huge healing journey for me. Additionally, Painter’s account of her struggles in caring for her aging parents while trying to juggle the responsibilities of grad school— (all of which I faced) were so. very. relatable.
I can’t remember how this book ended up on my radar but just a few months ago I had made a note of it on my “want to read” Goodreads list and then promptly forgot about it–Until last week, when I was at the Dunlop Art Gallery at the Regina Public Library to see the Leesa Streifler exhibit; “She is Present”. Considered one of Canada’s preeminent feminist artists Streifler’s exhibit is described on the RPL website as a “series of mixed media drawings, [where] she explores the aesthetics of aging female bodies and how they are perceived in a culture consumed with youthful beauty and ability.” It is extraordinary and again, so. very. relatable. Streifler centres her own lived experience in her practice (as I aim to do) and I truly felt “seen” recognizing bits and pieces of my own experience on the canvas- at times embarrassed/ashamed and at other times empowered/ “no fucks given”.
I include an image of Streifler’s “Speaking up” it spoke (no pun intended) loud and clear and vicerely to me.
In one of those fabulous moments of happenstance, I spied Painter’s book amongst a shelf of books near the entrance of the gallery curated to connect with the exhibit. I snatched it up and took it home and devoured it. A perfect moment of inspiration begetting inspiration!
Dr. Mamalegato 