The Raving Reactionary Miami Stuckist Daubers

Just a Quick Announcement

2010-02-07T20:18:00.000-08:00

I will be taking a short hiatus from the Miami Stuckists as I wish to focus my time and energy on matters which require my immediate attention, mainly my studies and my portfolio. I will still be making paintings, however!

Artist Profile: Nick Christos

2010-01-20T18:51:00.000-08:00

As far back as I can remember, the arts have played an important role in my life. At a very early age, I recall venturing to art museums with my parents. As they would tell me, I would soak up visual information like a sponge.

Years later, something happened. I began to travel abroad. Immediately, my understanding of art and visual aesthetic changed. I no longer felt confined to certain boundaries, and I felt determined to pursue art through my own means of experimentation.

After a brief flirtation with realism and academic painting as a young teenager, I became more interested in free-flowing, expressionistic painting.

However, in recent months it has occurred to me that the above-mentioned style did not adequately satisfy my needs for spiritual expression. I felt the need to make a change through my artwork. That said, I am currently in a period of struggle, of curiosity, and of solitude, yet I am slowly beginning to see my true self to come to life in my work. My work in its most recent incarnation reflects my fascination with the innovations in figurative painting of the last 150 years, especially early Modernist painters of the fin-de-siecle.

Asim Butt, Rest in Peace

2010-01-15T16:36:00.000-08:00

In memoriam

It is with a heavy heart that we report the loss of one of our colleagues, fellow Stuckist Mr. Asim Butt, who was found dead today, January 15th in Pakistan. Whilst we did not know Asim on a personal level, his sudden and abrupt absence makes us wish all the more that we did.

At this time, myself, Anna Girgis, and Ilya Alekseyev want to take the opportunity to offer our sincerest condolences to Asim's family and friends.

For more information about this wonderfully talented artist, visit
http://www.stuckism.com/Butt/Index.html

Image credit: Stuckism International

Artist Profile: Anna Girgis

2010-01-12T14:48:00.000-08:00

(Image credit: Victoria Stein)

"My work is a reflection of the emotional psychological state of my soul and it's journey through life. It is a documentation of an accumulation of experiences, emotions and self discoveries. I want to understand the essence of the things I've learned along the way. I paint to express what I've learned so far.

These works represent my journey through life and the trials and errors that bring me closer to Redemption, Faith, Love and God. I make my art because I feel like there's something I want to express. It’s an unfolding story about the people I’ve interfaced with in my life. These people have influenced me in radical ways. My paintings are essentially portraits of the essence of everyone that has molded, changed, helped, harmed or in some profound way affected my life.

My paintings are made with professional quality oil paint on stretched canvas. The oil paint is applied in a thick impasto of layers, the buildup represents the emotional state of my soul being transformed by the manipulation of the paint as I continually make revisions. The paint builds layers that sculpts and creates varieties of texture. I manipulate the paint to express my sentiment at that particular time. I desire to use thick textures of paint because it captures the intangible and uncommunicative part of my essence and the colors and textures produced satisfy my need to contain that emotion.

The use of traditional materials and methods in my work is inspired by my connection to antiquity emerging from my eastern orthodox roots. Drawing is also significant in informing my painting. Charcoal, one of the oldest materials used to create drawings, is one of my favorite mediums because of its ability to create fine lines, shadows, and texture. The combination of these applications in my drawings allow me to draw expressively and influence the form and structure of my paintings. The heavy lines, shapes, smudges, and intricate details show the movement of the hand and the processes of creation; these subtleties and textures show they are diverse humans and these beings represent the essence and state of humanity. I enjoy exploring various mediums when creating work in search of endless possibilities for expression. The varity of mediums helps me to tell a story about the human condition in a highly symbolic charged attitude. I feel that there is a limitless potential when I combine the use of traditional materials with non-traditional approaches.

The focus of my work is primarily on defining and refining my depiction of characters reflectling the good and bad, the happy and sad people in my life. In my paintings and drawings these characters search for meaning, direction in life and God. They express a community of people that are together facing their humanity. I work to portray the shape of their souls through my use of obscure shapes, the condition of their hearts are represented by distinguishable characteristics in their demeanor, and the state of their minds is exemplified by the manipulation of the paint. Their expressive facial features are emphasized and they inhabit a mysterious, ambiguous environment.

The heavy, disconsolate look they evoke comes from their sorrows, their burdens, and their afflictions. The ambiguous shapes over the characters are inspired by the emotional and psychological shape of my soul and its journey. Revealing the faces of actual individuals in my life would call attention to the physical person in my world and would deter from the presence and disposition of the character in its environment, so I create personalized costumes, to disguise my characters from themselves. The costumes and masks distinguish the different roles they play in my life. They are all here for distinct purposes. Revealing their hair color, height or physical place in the world is trivial in relation to who or what they really are. What builds their character, determination, humor, or discontent.

The ambiguous background is a timeless atmosphere, devoid of indicators that would locate a “today” or “tomorrow.” It is ever changing and does not solidify a particular moment or place but rather focuses on the core expression of the spirit. Their environment is a distraction from what is important, where they’re going and who they’re becoming. I feel like these people are all on this journey searching for peace and salvation. They’re searching for God. There are many details in these works which are symbolic drawn from my from subconscious. The cross is an important symbol that I use in my work as it is a representation of the crosses each of us carries in life. I believe that life is a risk either path you choose but if one follows their heart they will find true fulfillment. Helen Frankenthaler once said “ If you have a gift it is your halo and your cross” I do not know if I have a gift but I am so much in love with paint. As I create each painting, I begin to feel which symbol needs to be in it intuitively."

Anna Girgis

Artist Profile: Alekseyev Ilya

2010-01-08T22:44:00.000-08:00

Born in 1987 Russia, Alekseyev Ilya is a student at Florida Atlantic University. Exposed to the national art of orthodox icon painting prior to coming to the United States and the current field of study at the university (majoring in both philosophy and art history with the concentration in the arts of China and the Islamic world), he presents the viewer with a pallet of forms and meanings. Ilya works in a variety of genres from portraits to abstracts, but the most favored style is traditional-inspired evaluation of myths, religions, and political issues.

STUCK in Fort Lauderdale: Opening Reception Photos

2010-01-03T18:21:00.001-08:00

Art Basel Miami Beach 2009: A Stuckist's Reaction

2009-12-11T08:39:00.000-08:00

This year, I thought that I'd check out Art Basel, as I haven't before attended. What I thought would be exciting turned out to be a complete bore. To my fellow Stuckists, I will save you all the task of attending next year's display, since it will be exactly the same-

The exposition included such intellectually-stimulating works as rolled-up carpets, neon lights, blank canvases, and other curiosities, most of which, promoted by gallery representatives of the Machiavellian kind to an enraptured and bewildered audience.

Art Basel- eerily reminiscent of 1984.

However, I will say that the fair brings out some of the more interesting and unusual of people. The costumed, quirky, snobbish characters. I am lead to believe that the observation of these people is the true art of the show, because they are a facet of modern society, and allow us the ability to reveal truths about ourselves as human beings.

As I expressed in a recent work is the Ancient Greek aphorism γνῶθι σεαυτόν, or know thyself. This phrase, attributed to the 6th century BC philosopher Thales of Miletos, refers to the ideal of understanding human behavior, morals, and thought, because ultimately to understand oneself is to understand other humans as well.

Thoughts on the Oxford Union Debate

2009-11-13T13:21:00.000-08:00

On November 5th, Charles Thomson participated in a debate on conceptual art at the Oxford Union. The proposition was entitled, "This House Believes that Conceptual Art 'Just Isn't Art'".

Here is a video of a rebuttal of the opposition, given by Mr. Thomson during the debate.

In debates like these, a touch of humor every now and then is important because it keeps the audience interested, and allows the audience to recognize logical fallacy more easily. In arguably one of the most memorable quotes of the debate, Charles used humor to his advantage in refuting artist Miroslaw Balka's argument that "the spine of art is conceptualism," saying, "but what would we look like walking around with just a spine?"

But does it matter if the proposition 'won' or not? Of course not. Although, it would've be nice to thumb our noses at the losers afterward.

From my understanding, the purpose of the debate was to directly confront the status quo by presenting this argument which has strong ideological convictions and appeal amongst a large populace.

What happens afterward is more or less irrelevant. Just the action by the challenging parties of taking a stand is a decisive victory. The final tallying of votes at the Union is not a referendum on the definition of art. To the contrary, if a nationwide poll was conducted today, I believe that a plurality of the public would agree with the sentiments of Remodernists and other rational-minded people.

In keeping with this trend of Remodernism, we are speaking truth to power, specifically, a money-driven, global, institutional juggernaut.

STUCK in Fort Lauderdale

2009-11-11T19:08:00.000-08:00

"STUCK in Fort Lauderdale: The Raving Reactionary Miami Stuckist Daubers"

Join the Miami Stuckists at Gallery 101 for an exhibition of new art for a new decade!

Opening Reception- Saturday, January 2nd, at 7:00 pm

Featuring works by:

Nick Christos
Anna Girgis
Ilya Alekseyev

and two very special guests,

Chris Hardy of the Phoenix Stuckists
Virginia Andow of the Jacksonville Stuckists

Directions can be found at Gallery 101's website, http://thegallery101.net/

Be there!

Announcement: Upcoming Show

2009-10-12T14:53:00.001-07:00

The Miami Stuckists will be holding an exhibition during the entire month of January at Gallery 101 in Fort Lauderdale. Exact dates for the opening reception and closing will be provided within the next month.

Link to Gallery 101: http://www.thegallery101.net/

Feud on The Guardian

2009-10-04T18:54:00.000-07:00

Read statements by myself (Nick Christos), Charles Thomson, Billy Childish, and other Remodernists in response to Jonathan Jones' blog post on Stuckism and the state of affairs in the art world at:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/jonathanjonesblog/2009/oct/01/art-stuckist-manifesto

-Nick

Recent Work- Nick Christos

2009-10-02T18:56:00.000-07:00

Corina on a Street in Paris,

16"x20", oil on canvas

Ceci n'est pas une mop.

2009-09-26T16:18:00.000-07:00

This is art, apparently.

Photos from the New Life show

2009-09-15T13:00:00.000-07:00

Hi, Nick here.

I want to thank everyone who came out to the New Life show last month. Your support was well-received by all of us and we were quite gracious to have you in our company.

Here are some photos of the event, along with our work.

On the main wall: self-portraits by Andrew Ackerman

The Ontological Argument, by Ilya Alekseyev

Rishona Cann stands in front of her work (L)

Ilya explains the meaning behind his work in a televised interivew with Independent Artists Live

Andrew Ackerman talks to a friend about one of his pieces

Local artist Robert Corrao surveys one of Andrew's paintings

painting by Andrew Ackerman

The participating artists intermingle with both friends and gallery-goers

Paintings by Nick Christos

Tea Time, by Nick Christos

My Name is Damien, by Nick Christos

To my fellow Miami Stuckists, "New Life" was the begining!

2009-08-17T01:44:00.000-07:00

It is Beautiful ! ! !

To my fellow Miami Stuckists,

- "New Life" was our begining.
The start!

I kno i have already reached a higher level of professionalism as an artist- thru our meetings & our installation work together / thru my dealings w/ this gallery & my work on our Consignment form and our artist inventories...and much more!

w/ Our art....w/ the press... This wonderous outpouring of support and interest in our work and our ideas and our Miami chapter of Stuckism- all around.... It has been surreal!
But it is real!

For me, this continues to be a particpation in something truly unique, mysterious... qualities that art should be... Creativity!

& my membership in this group, is one i honor and cherish. I am proud to have exhibited with you all! It gives me great pleasure, to call you my fellow painters and my good friends!

This is "New Life" & Our work has just begun.

"New Life" helped to open some doors for us.
So, did WeMerge Magazine. We should continue our efforts for the future, my friends. If i can join you in future shows- i would gladly be involved.

Next...i recommend, as a collective,that we scout out new venues for a second, Miami Stuckism show for this coming fall or winter! (...next step, schedule a meeting for all of us, w/ this new motivation & better organization!)

I would like to work with you all, on landing our second show, the follow up to "New Life."
I gave our show, the Title, "New Life" because i felt... it just made sense, heh! & I would like the opportunity to give our next show it's name, as well. Of course, i welcome your ideas.

I look forward to showing my work alongside you again, in and out of our group. Well... this is
an exciting time, both as a solo artist and as a member of this group.

Thank you, and paint on!

-Andrew R. Ackerman

"New Life" has sprouted. Now, Watch Miami Stuckism Grow!

2009-08-07T01:13:00.001-07:00

Photos from the Day of Reckoning (Installation Day)

2009-08-06T20:54:00.000-07:00

Founder Nick Christos and fellow Stuckist Anna Girgis survey the wall for the optimal arrangement of works.

Ilya Alekseyev installing hardware on stretcher bars.

Anna with work while Andrew Ackerman and Ilya goof off in the background.

Nick making faces at the photographer. That's fine, now get to work!

City Link Metromix Article (Link & Rebuttal #1)

2009-08-04T21:33:00.000-07:00

Nick here.

Over the past few months, our group has enjoyed good fortune. The Miami Stuckists are now set to run a group show this Saturday at the Grace Cafe and Galleries, and we are now also featured in several newspapers and periodicals throughout South Florida. Not excluded from this list is City Link Metromix, whose arts and culture writer, Colleen Dougherty, was kind enough to contact me for an interview. The full story is provided here:

http://southflorida.metromix.com/arts-culture/essay_photo_gallery/meet-the-stuckists/1373013/content

On that note, I would like to present my counter-arguments to some critiques made on the subject.

1. On the subject of 'ready-mades' (i.e. Emin's My Bed):

As ridiculous as it may seem, many of today's conceptual artists have stolen the spotlight in the art world with their renditions of the ready-made, a market commodity, while the painters and the other labor-intensive media artists are compelled to sacrifice large amounts of time and energy in order to complete a work, many times without the promise of success. In that fact lies a great deal of injustice.

Whereas the painter is engaged in a constant struggle to achieve a spiritual bond and a kind of self-actualization through his or her own work, the conceptual artist (in this case Emin) is engaged in a constant struggle to decide where in relation to the bed the discarded condom wrapper should be placed.

Getting to the point however, the severe underlying problem with this approach to art is that the soul of a conceptual artist (or any artist, for that matter) cannot truly receive nourishment or gratification from real-world objects. Painting, on the other hand, is a completely ritualistic and mystical practice which holds steady to a rhythm. The heartbeat of the painter can be felt as the viewer glances over the piece, with an orchestra of line, color, form, and composition working in unison to perform a visual symphony.

A Different Kind of Funny

2009-07-30T06:49:00.000-07:00

Mr. Damien Hirst is shown at a South Florida art fair promoting a new collective, the Miami Stuckists, recently featured on the cover of the local arts magazine WeMerge. As part of the deal, Hirst was given a small stipend on site. Expecting a larger sum, he burst into a tantrum, jumping wildly and spewing insults at the photographer. A child standing nearby pointed and laughed at the babbling Hirst, at which point he stormed out.

Since the event, Hirst has filed a lawsuit against the child.

Update on New Life

2009-07-27T21:44:00.000-07:00

Hi, Nick here.

The Miami Stuckists have received requests from several individuals to post the members' artwork onto this blog. We'd be more than willing to do so, were it not for our upcoming show (we wouldn't want to spoil the element of surprise for our exhibition-goers, now would we?).

Speaking of, the New Life exhibition is drawing ever nearer and our collective is confident in every way that it will be a complete success. If you aren't heading to the show yourself, you're probably bound to read about us in the Sun-Sentinel, WeMerge, or City Link, so keep your eyes peeled.

Also, the duration of the exhibition has been extended through September 30th, so you have plenty of time to get down to Dania Beach.

Thanks!

Press Release: New Life-The Miami Stuckists' Premiere Exhibition

2009-07-09T09:50:00.000-07:00

Grace Café & Gallery to Host Party for WeMerge Magazine in August

Dania Beach, FL – If ever there was a date for the South Florida arts & entertainment community to make special note of, it would be Saturday, August 8^th, 2009. It is on that date that The Grace Café & Gallery in Dania Beach will host a party of epic proportions as part of its partnership with WeMerge Magazine, a local independent magazine dedicated to merging together different artists, musicians, readers, businesses, cultures, and subcultures.

The WeMerge Magazine Party will feature art exhibits, photography exhibits, live art, and live music, all of which will occupy the 7,000 square foot gallery space, as well as the spacious parking lot behind the venue. The event will run from 7:00pm until 1:00am. Admission is FREE, and open to the public. The location is 49 N. Federal Highway, Dania Beach, FL 33004. It is located on the West side of Federal Highway, just North of Dania Beach Blvd. For more info on the venue, please call:(954) 816-3324. The gallery is well known for having exhibited the art of famed Miami artist, Purvis Young, and for having sponsored the “2007 Art Miami Director’s Choice” exhibition.

The party will serve a dual purpose because in addition to being a party to celebrate the recently released 5^th issue of WeMerge Magazine, it will also serve as an opening night gala for the 30-day art exhibit by The Miami Stuckists, a growing group of artists influenced by the international “Stuckism” movement. Six artists from the group will be displaying their art, and several members will be in attendance to inform people on the Stuckism movement and what the Miami chapter is doing to promote this enigmatic and exciting genre of modern art.

Also of note is the fact that The South Florida Camera Club will have 15 photographs from 15 members of its club on display on a wall that will mimic the club’s co-op page in the 5^th issue of WeMerge Magazine. It will be a real life recreation of the page and promises to be a real eye-catcher for all to appreciate.

Live music will be provided by several of the musicians in the current issue of WeMerge Magazine, including Marc Solomon (acoustic rock), Alex Nelson (acoustic rock), Web Three (avant garde goth hip-hop), and Ghost of Gloria (rock), the band on the cover of the current issue. Live art will be provided by Kazilla and KatieSottak. As other musicians and artists are added to the bill, the marketing of the event will reflect the new additions. Stay tuned.

Inked Productions, an independent clothing designer, will have a vendor table and will be selling its original garments. The company’s CEO, Rudy Mage, will be on hand to tell people more about his company and answer questions. Mr. Quicktrackz, a mobile recording studio and DJ service will also be there to showcase its mobile recording studio van and to record the evening.

Clare Vickery, the owner of The Grace Café & Gallery, is a longstanding supporter of the arts and is excited about welcoming a whole new demographic to her space for the event. The café part of the venue will be open and will be offering a full menu. To see the menu, and to find out more information about the venue, please visitwww.GraceCafeAndGalleries.com. For more info about WeMerge Magazine, please visit www.WeMergeTalent.com and www.MySpace.com/WeMerge.

Independent videographers, photographers, and members of the local media wishing to cover the event are urged to contact the event organizer, Renda Writer, using the contact info at the top of this press release. The MySpace event invite page can be viewed here: http://event.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=events.detail&eventID=505968.08724

New Life: The Premiere Exhibition of The Miami Stuckists

2009-06-12T06:27:00.000-07:00

An announcement from the Miami Stuckists---

Join us for the opening exhibition of the newest chapter to emerge from the scene of Stuckism--
The Miami Stuckists!

"New Life: The Premiere Exhibition of The Miami Stuckists,"

Opening night- August 8th, 2009

Grace Cafe and Galleries
49 North Federal Hwy
Dania Beach, Florida

Featuring work by:

Nick Christos
Anna Girgis
Andrew Ackerman
Rishona Cann
Ilya Alekseyev

Be there!

“New Life”- a Poem dedicated 2 my friend, Nicholas Christos & our group, The Miami Stuckists.

2009-06-11T15:41:00.000-07:00

* I dedicate this lil' poem to Nicholas Christos, who, if u don't know by now, is my V.P. for the "Artists @ FAU," the Leader of our “Miami Stuckists” group and my awesome friend and talented fellow artist! *

“New Life”

New life arises when you least expect it.
When things are dark you simply turn on the light
Now, it’s Time for some quick new insight.

So, are you stuck in your stuck up world of already made Readymades?
See, cause' that was novelty back in the twentieth century.
yea, That was one full century ago.
Perhaps, You need to start anew.
Start Stuck and get a clue.
No, you don't need high priced, high purpose super glue.
See, 'cause Nick and Drew have the answer for you.
Sick of seeing those ridiculous shoes exhibited on the ground?
They seem to be selling out England, by the pound.
We need to shift gears and get in the zone.
Get stuck on Stuckism but don’t feel alone.
It’s catching on and we are here for support.
Don’t fret, don’t sweat, even if the heat is on.
'Cause Miami here we come.
Bring it on.
Just bring it on!
See, we are good artists with some sensibility.
And we don’t need to sell our souls for ruthless nobility!
Did you see, what I saw with my eyes, too?
I saw a suit on a hanger.
I saw a chair.
I saw a nail.
I saw a pillow
I saw a saw
I saw a set of water bottles
I saw them all.
And Then I left and cursed the place
I had this strong distaste as I kneeled in disgrace.
I’ll be honest.
No, I wasn’t there.
I just made that up
But it could happen.
Ban together and break the status quo
Can you guess what happens next?
And how we can get our work out, looking its best?
Let’s just show Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst, first.
Right before we can say a few prayers, and then, well its worse.
For them not us.
See, Hirst and Emin will be frozen in formaldehyde.
While, Hirst’s shark swims back to the sea
Interestingly, Emin’s bed will actually be auctioned off for free.
To a kindhearted homeless guy right here in Miami
Now, let’s return the readymades back to the people’s homes, too.
It’s only right, if the shark went back to sea and seeing as the bed really went to charity.
Join us and end this misery.
Free art, free yourself, and feel free to venture back into reality.
A reality where art is basic creativity.
Not founded on exploitative fallacy.
New life blossoms with creative spirit
When things are dark you simply turn on the light
Now, you know Stuckism.
Join us and let’s start new life.
~ Peace, from @ndy ~

“New Life”
A Poem by Andrew Richard Ackerman dedicated to Nicholas Christos and the Miami Stuckists.

Check out this video... Realize Stuckism...

2009-05-31T13:46:00.000-07:00

Check out this video, for a greater understanding of why Stuckism will be the next big movement in the art world!

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Li8LxUAEkdU

(Note:)
After i saw this video, with Stuckists co-founder, Charles Thomson, i further realized how important Stuckism was becoming to me, as an artist. With the way art is being observed by many major art institutions of the world, it is no wonder, Stuckism was bound to surface in some form, one way or another.

Here, you can decide for yourself. Perhaps, you shall come to similar conclusions about where we are (art-wise) and how we need to shift our ideas towards those, more aligned with Stuckist ideologies. Please, feel free to join our "Miami Stuckists" Blog, and contact Nicholas Christos, for more info.
Join us & Support Stuckism.
-Andrew Richard Ackerman.

Updates! also- Looking for New Members!

2009-05-27T05:33:00.000-07:00

The Miami Stuckists are recruiting new members!! Although our collective already has a steady membership, we are always looking for artists to bring fresh talent to the table.

Over the course of the past month or so, I have been approached by quite a few people, all of whom are curious as to when and where the first show of the Miami Stuckists will be.

So let me be clear. I and others have been actively contacting several galleries throughout Midtown and Wynwood to see if any gallery owners will be gracious enough to host us. Although our group currently has a low profile, I am confident that just one show can change everything.

We want a show sometime before September, preferably in July. I attribute this date to both my colleagues' studies and my preoccupation with the arts club associated with my local university, of which I am Vice President. In short, we will all be very busy.

If you are interested in joining the Miami Stuckists, you may email me, Nick Christos, at nick.christos@gmail.com with a brief statement on why you would like to join (approximately 1 paragraph) and 2 or 3 recent paintings as examples of your work.

Beginnings: Who We Are, What We Do

2009-04-15T22:21:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the official blog of the Miami Stuckists. My name is Nick Christos, and I am the founder of this group.

I have taken upon myself the task of forming a group for Stuckists in the Miami area, as both a response and a contribution to the burgeoning art scenes of the city. Those interested in joining may wish to contact me at my email address.

Here is my version of the Stuckist Manifesto (based on the original from Stuckism International):

Stuckism is the quest for authenticity. By removing the mask of cleverness and admitting where we are, the Stuckist allows him/herself uncensored expression.

Painting is the medium of self-discovery. It engages the person fully with a process of action, emotion, thought and vision, revealing all of these with intimate and unforgiving breadth and detail.

Stuckism proposes a model of art which is holistic. It is a meeting of the conscious and unconscious, thought and emotion, spiritual and material, private and public. Modernism is a school of fragmentation — one aspect of art is isolated and exaggerated to detriment of the whole. This is a fundamental distortion of the human experience and perpetrates an egocentric lie.

The Stuckist paints pictures because painting pictures is what matters.

The Stuckist is not mesmerized by the glittering prizes, but is wholeheartedly engaged in the process of painting. Success to the Stuckist is to get out of bed in the morning and paint.

It is the Stuckist’s duty to explore his/her neurosis and innocence through the making of paintings and displaying them in public, thereby enriching society by giving shared form to individual experience and an individual form to shared experience.

The Stuckist is not a career artist but rather an amateur (amare, Latin, to love) who takes risks on the canvas rather than hiding behind ready-made objects (e.g. a dead sheep). The amateur, far from being second to the professional, is at the forefront of experimentation, unencumbered by the need to be seen as infallible. Leaps of human endeavor are made by the intrepid individual, because he/she does not have to protect their status. Unlike the professional, the Stuckist is not afraid to fail.

Painting is mysterious. It creates worlds within worlds, giving access to the unseen psychological realities that we inhabit. The results are radically different from the materials employed. An existing object (e.g. a dead sheep) blocks access to the inner world and can only remain part of the physical world it inhabits, be it moorland or gallery. Ready-made art is a polemic of materialism.

The ego-artist’s constant striving for public recognition results in a constant fear of failure. The Stuckist risks failure willfully and mindfully by daring to transmute his/her ideas through the realms of painting. Whereas the ego-artist’s fear of failure inevitably brings about an underlying self-loathing, the failures that the Stuckist encounters engage him/her in a deepening process which leads to the understanding of the futility of all striving. The Stuckist doesn’t strive — which is to avoid who and where you are — the Stuckist engages with the moment.

The Stuckist gives up the laborious task of playing games of novelty, shock and gimmick. The Stuckist neither looks backwards nor forwards but is engaged with the study of the human condition. The Stuckists champion process over cleverness, realism over abstraction, content over void, humor over wittiness and painting over smugness.

The Stuckist is opposed to the sterility of the white wall gallery system and calls for exhibitions to be held in homes and musty museums, with access to sofas, tables, chairs and cups of tea. The surroundings in which art is experienced (rather than viewed) should not be artificial and vacuous.

The Stuckist should have fun! The Stuckist should enjoy the process of art and celebrate it. The act of creating art is an otherwise meaningless one if the artist does not derive any sort of enjoyment from it.

Painting is the medium of yesterday, and of today, and of tomorrow.

April 15, 2009

Nick Christos