February 7, 2008 - we're just a bunch of elitist snob sitting on our pedestals way up high
I am not an artist. This is what I told my newest hairdresser a few months ago as she was busy putting gunks and chemicals in my hair. She scoffed and laughed at me - I was slightly horrified that she did it so openly and we barely know each other too - when I told her I was going to go into "Arts Management" and perhaps become a curator. I don't think she understood what Arts Management/Arts Administration was and I didn't care enough to explain it fully to her, and anyway, she would have still laughed, I think, and told me I should do something more with my life - because God put you on earth for a reason - like becoming a doctor, a nurse, a lawyer, or work in immigration department - to help your people get through.
"Do you think you were put into this world to watch people's painting?"
"Well..."
"Do you? You think God put on you on this earth to watch a bunch of white people's paintings?"
"....."
I wasn't exactly sure how to respond to that. There were so many things wrong with what she said that I really didn't know where to start. Plus, I am not a confrontational person, I wouldn't have challenged her even if I knew how. But it really did give me a new perspective.
Not only did it baffle me that there were people out there who didn't know what a curator/art historian did, but that it also had been the first time that anyone ever brought up my ethnicity as being some sort of "issue" in such a direct and hostile way (well, it felt like it). I am quite aware the art history world is dominated by people of European descent, mostly you know, "white men" - but it never occurred to me to feel any sort of discomfort about this. I realize that this is very naive of me, and it's perhaps a testament to what a great and safe sheltered life I've lived, but it's true.
It really got me thinking about a lot of things. Her comments really disturbed me actually. I should have gotten mad that a total stranger was saying these things to me, but I think she truly meant well. At the very least, she made me realize just how distanced I am from all that. I mean, the only black friend I have is also mixed - and she's pretty much white washed - and I don't know any of my Zambian relatives. And my only contact with black/African culture and history is through the T.V and the radio.
Hm.
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