Constructive Criticism Is Essential

I am an ardent fan of the arts, no let me rephrase that, I am a true lover of the arts. Growing up I was never really exposed to a variety of arts apart from contemporary music and the dull and boring art classes that we had at primary school. Though this is the fact, I have always been interested in and had an unstoppable craving for the satisfaction that art presented. I love the curiosity that lies behind most artists work(s) and I find it highly thrilling to discover the true meaning behind a certain art piece. You see unlike most past-times art requires a deep level of analyzing and understanding the true purpose or message behind an artist’s art piece. 

Though I am much more intrigued by literary works of art such as poetry and literature I am also very interested in tangible art creations such as pottery and paintings. Art is a wonderful sight and feeling; it sparks and stimulates something in you that nothing else is capable of bringing out to the fore. I adore art in all honesty and it isn’t hard to tell, however I am also critical of certain types of art. Not critical in the sense that I loathe them or despise them but critical in the sense that they don’t reach up to their expectations or fail dismally at effectively portraying their intended message or worse, have no message or purpose at all. 

If I notice that this is so, I criticize the art work and I try best to offer my advice to the artist on what aspects of the art work need improvement. It’s also safe to say that my advice or criticism is not always sugar-coated, it can be hard hitting and somewhat ‘cruel’ at times but the aim is not be an ‘ass-hole’ and to discourage the artist but it’s to, in actual fact, encourage the artist to improve on his or her unnoticeable mistakes and short-comings. To brush up their art and lift it to greater heights, because that is all that improvement can do to anyone or anything. Becoming better at your art usually stems from taking in some advice or criticism from people because whether you like or not people are always going to judge and criticize your art but not all will do that with a good intention. My intentions are always good, they seek to help anyone to set themselves up towards greater achievement or towards the road of improvement and not to discourage or distort an artist’s work. Those that might think so should know that they are greatly misleading themselves and that their egos do not amuse me.

I will not be fazed by anyone; I will continue to offer my unsolicited opinion for the simple fact that most people, artists in this matter, literally invite criticism. They fear that their egos may be brushed against by our (critics) words, and although this may be so, a stubborn ego will never lead you anywhere! If your mindset has been deluded before and you have been ignorant as well than criticism will help you set yourself on the right course of better reasoning as it pushes you towards sharpening your critical thinking skills. Criticism opens and flexes your mind, and it challenges it. Criticism is also good because should you find certain criticism unproductive than you can choose to discard or ignore it. 

This mentality of thinking that every negative comment made about your art is a hate agenda towards you and your craft is a sometimes wrong and an immature stance towards criticism. Your poem could need some improvement, your verse in a song could have been better, your craft work could have been way attractive if you had done so and so; why the insecurity of being criticized? Is it because you are insecure about your art? Do you think that it’s too perfect or too fragile for criticism? Unrealistic thoughts! Welcome to the real world where everything is judged and criticized.

All artists need to consciously train their brains to not be fazed by an attack towards their work. To first apprehend the true nature and intention(s) of such an attack and later on to than conclude on whether such an attack, personal vendettas aside, is warranted by any truth that it may contain in its criticism of a particular aspect your art. Popular blogger Luke Muehlhanser once wrote in one of his many thought provoking blog posts that, and I quote, “…maybe people don’t like criticism because it lessens their influence. People who appear to be always right can have lots of influence. Herds follow a fearless leader, not a self-questioning and open-to-criticism leader. Politicians never get anywhere by highlighting their intellectual defects.” 

Could this be true? I believe that it is so. Artists ought not to act like hard-headed politicians; the improvement of their art rests solely upon constructive criticism, politicians sometimes can hardly distinguish constructive criticism from negative or worthless criticism. They confuse the two and so they remain to be unworthy leaders of the people, most of them in cruel circumstances turn themselves into dictators and they crush every single critic (political opponents) in a bid to remain unhindered in their undesired leadership.

The weird thing is that art is usually used as a tool to sometimes silently or outspokenly protest against such rule. I am aware that as human’s, perfection is what we all seek but that is an unrealistic aim and being imperfect creatures of God it is only fair that we in some time of our lives screw up. What is important when this happens is who will be there to reprimand you when you have erred or when you have underachieved with your art work. To respond with a “Fuck you!” than a “Thank you” after you have been constructively criticized is to be ungrateful and inconsiderate of the facts that lay bare before your very own eyes. In other words it this is clear ignorance towards the facts. 

Positive criticism points out the ugly facts, ignoring these facts would be a foolish thing to do for you will keep on repeating the same silly mistakes over and over again and you’ll be, without noticing it, making the word ‘mistake’ seem like it has been set to the default of your art work. Constructive or positive criticism is easy to spot, usually it reasons with you in a polite and desirable manner. Negative criticism on the other hand is the complete opposite, it aims on tripping you for a fall, and it aims on shrewdly penetrating your self-confidence which is a personal trait that is easily shattered. Beware of negative criticism, beware of fake friends that are wolves in sheep’s clothing and learn to distinguish between constructive (positive) and negative criticism. And finally remember this, constructive criticism is essential to your improvement and betterment.