I took it as a slight when the posh dark haired woman who picked up a camera after a profitable career-used the exact same phrase from my exhibition on women in farming in her exhibition about women
Thank you for refusing to stay silent. The way you map out the hidden costs of “making it” in the arts, the photobook fees, the exhibition budgets, the endless portfolio entries, is a damning indictment of a system that preaches accessibility but lives on privilege. I’ve written myself about the erasure of working-class voices, so your descriptions of scraping by, of shooting two frames on a roll of 120 film because you can’t afford “waste,” really resonate. It’s not just that these barriers exist; it’s that they’re actively ignored by those with the means to bulldoze past them. Your anger is justified, and your call for working-class creators to reclaim their narratives is urgent. This isn’t about shutting anyone out; it’s about demanding equity of opportunity and respect for the voices born of real hardship. We need more of this unflinching honesty in the arts, and I’m proud to stand with you in amplifying it.
Everything you say here is sensitive and beautifully articulated, not that that’s the point but still also true. What you’re saying is essential. You are so right. Especially about the competition thing, that’s just blown my mind! Of course working class artists don’t compete with anyone, I’ve truly never met a working class artist who doesn’t want everyone to succeed because we KNOW what it can take to make that happen. We know the stakes are so high; when there’s no safety net, no savings, insecure housing, jobs and kids and care to juggle. It cuts deeper when someone appropriates, competes or downright plagiarises. For us it’s not a game. Thank you for articulating all of this. Please don’t stay silent, people need to hear xx
Thank you for refusing to stay silent. The way you map out the hidden costs of “making it” in the arts, the photobook fees, the exhibition budgets, the endless portfolio entries, is a damning indictment of a system that preaches accessibility but lives on privilege. I’ve written myself about the erasure of working-class voices, so your descriptions of scraping by, of shooting two frames on a roll of 120 film because you can’t afford “waste,” really resonate. It’s not just that these barriers exist; it’s that they’re actively ignored by those with the means to bulldoze past them. Your anger is justified, and your call for working-class creators to reclaim their narratives is urgent. This isn’t about shutting anyone out; it’s about demanding equity of opportunity and respect for the voices born of real hardship. We need more of this unflinching honesty in the arts, and I’m proud to stand with you in amplifying it.
Kind words Matt. Your writing is incredible.
Everything you say here is sensitive and beautifully articulated, not that that’s the point but still also true. What you’re saying is essential. You are so right. Especially about the competition thing, that’s just blown my mind! Of course working class artists don’t compete with anyone, I’ve truly never met a working class artist who doesn’t want everyone to succeed because we KNOW what it can take to make that happen. We know the stakes are so high; when there’s no safety net, no savings, insecure housing, jobs and kids and care to juggle. It cuts deeper when someone appropriates, competes or downright plagiarises. For us it’s not a game. Thank you for articulating all of this. Please don’t stay silent, people need to hear xx
Thank you as always Amy, for all your support. In ways you’ll never know. Another farm event this year! Would love you there x