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IS STUCKISM STUCK?
Article by Dee Sekar
Article by Dee Sekar
Image by Charles Thomson, courtesy of Stuckism.com
Yes, would be the resounding answer by
most commercial contemporary artists. Step
forward Emin, who inadvertently came up
with the term which was originally an insult to
her then boyfriend and co-founder of the
movement, Billy Childish.
Since Stuckism began in 1999, what have
these OCD artists achieved? Have they stood
by their original Remodernism principles?
Stuckist artists attempted to introduce a
period of new spirituality into art, culture and
society to replace Postmodernism, which
they accused of being bankrupt and cynical.
So far this ideology has spread beyond the
English borders as Stuckism artists have
now congregated and exhibited on an
international scale. But what about
Stuckism's more vocal opponents?
Fillmaker and surrealist Andrew Kotting
released a manifesto declaring, "the work
should prove anti-Stuckist, genuinely
post-modern, contingent and ad hoc in its
thinking." In 1999, Yuan Chai and Jian Jun Xi
jumped on Emin's unmade bed exhibition
most commercial contemporary artists. Step
forward Emin, who inadvertently came up
with the term which was originally an insult to
her then boyfriend and co-founder of the
movement, Billy Childish.
Since Stuckism began in 1999, what have
these OCD artists achieved? Have they stood
by their original Remodernism principles?
Stuckist artists attempted to introduce a
period of new spirituality into art, culture and
society to replace Postmodernism, which
they accused of being bankrupt and cynical.
So far this ideology has spread beyond the
English borders as Stuckism artists have
now congregated and exhibited on an
international scale. But what about
Stuckism's more vocal opponents?
Fillmaker and surrealist Andrew Kotting
released a manifesto declaring, "the work
should prove anti-Stuckist, genuinely
post-modern, contingent and ad hoc in its
thinking." In 1999, Yuan Chai and Jian Jun Xi
jumped on Emin's unmade bed exhibition
with 'Anti-Stuckism' emblazoned on their chests. There was confusion over the incentive for this stunt as
Stuckists are known for their opposition to Saatchi darlings. However the artists were demonstrating
against Stuckist derogatory views of performance art. It all gets rather confusing; anti-artists
demonstarting against anti-artists but that is another reason why Stuckism could be regarded as being
stuck. For through their wildly outspoken antics, to some they have come to represent anti-art and no
real art. Stuckism is often perceived as being synoymous for its own breed of shock art demonstrations
and unfortunately this marrs the very motive they set out in achieving – bringing art to its more basic and
effective form.
Yet this is the unfortunate stigma that arises in bands/artists who take a brave, faithful step in being
political. It is conceived as a cover-up for their own poor quality art, a way of getting instant notoriety
through being connected to a 'big' name. This is a great shame. For Stuckists have mounted many
successful and worthwhile campaigns through official avenues, such as reporting Saatchi to the Office
of Fair Trading to complain about his power in the art world, and applying under the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 for Tate Gallery trustee minutes, which started a media scandal about the
purchase of Chris Ofili's work, 'The Upper Room' (which led to an official rebuke of the Tate by the
Charity Commission). And most importantly, their fundamentals are based on preserving the traditional
forms of art which nowadays are too boring for conventional art galleries ("the person least likely to win
the Turner Prize is Turner himself" – Billy Childish). Stuckism art is beautiful, fierce and awkward at
times but ultimately it represents passionate, political, unafraid artists. It is absolute, true, uncontrived
art. And for that my friends, Stuckism is in no danger of becoming stuck.
Stuckists are known for their opposition to Saatchi darlings. However the artists were demonstrating
against Stuckist derogatory views of performance art. It all gets rather confusing; anti-artists
demonstarting against anti-artists but that is another reason why Stuckism could be regarded as being
stuck. For through their wildly outspoken antics, to some they have come to represent anti-art and no
real art. Stuckism is often perceived as being synoymous for its own breed of shock art demonstrations
and unfortunately this marrs the very motive they set out in achieving – bringing art to its more basic and
effective form.
Yet this is the unfortunate stigma that arises in bands/artists who take a brave, faithful step in being
political. It is conceived as a cover-up for their own poor quality art, a way of getting instant notoriety
through being connected to a 'big' name. This is a great shame. For Stuckists have mounted many
successful and worthwhile campaigns through official avenues, such as reporting Saatchi to the Office
of Fair Trading to complain about his power in the art world, and applying under the Freedom of
Information Act 2000 for Tate Gallery trustee minutes, which started a media scandal about the
purchase of Chris Ofili's work, 'The Upper Room' (which led to an official rebuke of the Tate by the
Charity Commission). And most importantly, their fundamentals are based on preserving the traditional
forms of art which nowadays are too boring for conventional art galleries ("the person least likely to win
the Turner Prize is Turner himself" – Billy Childish). Stuckism art is beautiful, fierce and awkward at
times but ultimately it represents passionate, political, unafraid artists. It is absolute, true, uncontrived
art. And for that my friends, Stuckism is in no danger of becoming stuck.
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