Exhibition Review: Day Jobs
Violette Bule, Dream America, 2015. Chromogenic prints, each: 30 x 36 in.. Collection of the artist. © Violette Bule. Courtesy of the artist and the Blanton Museum of Art.
Writer: Maggie Wen
Copy Editor: Kee’nan Haggen
Photo Editor: Alanna Reid
The portion of being an artist comes along with the power of stardom. To some, stardom means popularity and commercial income. To others, stardom comes from a particular position of responsibility in the hopes of spreading positive influence. How do you work with stardom?
Sara Bennett, TIANA, 25, in the library at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility, 2019. Archival pigment print, 20 x 24 in.. © Sara Bennett. Courtesy of the artist and the Blanton Museum of Art.
For Vivian Maier, who worked as a nanny most of her life, was only discovered as a photographer two years before her death, the stardom of being a famous photographer did not entice her. Other artists, such as Sara Bennett, a public defender at The Legal Aid Society, inspired her to pick up a camera and shine a light on female prisoners. Ricardo Valverde visited multiple neighborhoods as a water meter reader. Being a server, Villette Blue represents unseen individuals who needed to work various jobs in the United States. Other artists also bring in techniques from their day jobs, such as Nate Lewis, who worked as a nurse, Barbara Kruger, who worked as Lead Designer for Conde Nast—and Gretchen Bender, who worked as a commercial Film Editor and Director.
Nate Lewis, Signaling XVI, 2019. Hand-sculpted inkjet print, ink, graphite, and frottage, overall: 40 × 26 in.. Blanton Museum of Art, The University of Texas at Austin, Promised gift of Brent Hasty and Stephen Mills, 2020. Donor's (photo: Courtesy of the artist, Dr. Brent Hasty and Stephen Mills, and Fridman Gallery, New York). Courtesy of the artist and the Blanton Museum of Art.
Virginia L. Montgomer (VLM), Pony Cocoon (video still), 2019. Digital video with sound, 5:05 min. Blanton Museum of Art, The University of Texas at Austin, Purchase with funds from Beverly Dale, 2020 [photo: © VLM (Virginia L. Montgomery). Courtesy of the artist and the Blanton Museum of Art.
Mark Bradford, Same ‘Ol Pimp, 2002. Mixed media on canvas, 72 x 84 in.. Collection of Barbara and Michael Gamson (photo: © Paul Hester/Hester + Hardaway Photographers). Courtesy of the artist and the Blanton Museum of Art.
From this exhibition, the artist’s job is not only working their day jobs but also getting inspiration and being observant of their routine jobs. They were not looking to fit into the community given by their day job but into the world in a larger sense. Examples of artists trying to balance popularity and responsibility. They balance their day jobs and artworks at the latest Blanton Museum of Art exhibition. The exhibition is a reminder to treat everyone equally. You never know if you are part of an art project.
Tishan Hsu, Portrait, 1982. Oil stick, enamel, acrylic, and vinyl cement compound on wood, 57 x 87 x 6 in.. © 2022 Tishan Hsu / Artists Rights Society (ARS). Courtesy of the artist, Miguel Abreu Gallery, and the Blanton Museum of Art.
