The Joshua Tree only grows a new branch after it blooms.
If it never blooms the tree keeps growing straight up like a finger. When it blooms, which might happen every few years if the environmental conditions are agreeable, the bloom develops into a new limb.
That’s how botanists can age a Joshua Tree, by its number of branches.
If I think of my art practice as a Joshua Tree, I understand why it’s so complex with a tangle of branches.
My practice has bloomed so many times it’s now an intricate knot of art projects that wind around each other in close embrace, like new lovers who can’t be prised apart. What a marvel.
In the industrial art complex I’m known as a “mid-career” artist.
Mid-career means I’ve been making art long enough to have accumulated what we call “clutter” in real life but in the art world, we call a portfolio.
And having a portfolio is good. It’s an artist’s legacy: all the stuff that gets shown in the retrospective after you die. I mean, I have to keep all my messy sketchbooks and journals just so Tate Modern can fill their display cabinets, right?
Honestly, I thought I would be more of an “established” artist by now, with representation by a swanky London gallery, a few solo shows under my belt, and a shot at the Turner Prize (I dream big!) But since I recently decided I don’t want to be part of the art “establishment” I guess I’ll settle for mid-career until I pop my clogs and become a legacy artist. I have high hopes for me as a legacy artist! Ever the optimist!
But seriously for a minute, sitting back and looking at my Joshua Tree with its wonky branches twisting around each other, I am so proud. Look at what I created! That leading branch pointing up to the sky was my first design studio, and all those smaller limbs sprouting off it represent exhibitions, residencies, public art projects, art collectives, workshops, courses, commissions, creative circles, mentorship, writing: all the joyous outpourings of my art practice. How could I feel disappointed? How could I believe such an astonishing tree is not enough of an accomplishment?
Capitalism thrives on making us believe what we have is not enough; and that we always need more. More followers. More coin. More social proof. More influence. And in return capitalism requires more and more of us. More of our time. More of our energy. More staring at tiny screens. More churning out of the same old to appease the algorithms. What a scam!
I live in abundance. I live in a huge, open canvas where anything can happen. I refuse to exhaust myself. I rest often. I adore variety. I love change. I am creatively boundless and energetic. My wealth comes from my soul and the souls of those who surround me, not from a little orange tick next to my name.
Yawn. Checkmarks by names are so passé.
Those limbs on my Joshua Tree represent not only the visible outputs of my art practice but more importantly, the arms of the friends I’ve made along the way. I am held by incredible artists who inspire, support and encourage me. They show up when I call, send me snail mail, leave me voice notes. Whether I need a kick up the arse or a bucket to spew rage into, they offer it without judgment. And I do the same for them. That’s true wealth. And it comes with no monthly subscription fee.
Let’s never forget that the true art of life revolves around people, not objects. All the paintings, sculptures, photographs and performance art spectacles are only valuable in as much as they help us connect with other humans. As artists, we tell our stories so others may listen, and hopefully, they’ll say, “Oh yes, I totally get that, now here’s my story.”
I tell you the story of my Joshua Tree so you may in turn recount the story of your Joshua Tree. Together we create a forest. Together we are stronger. Together we create the right environment for the Joshua Tree that is our future, to bloom and grow. Together we shape the limbs of our communal tree of life.
Until next time.
JC
RELATED TO THIS WEEK’S THEMES:
I’m extremely proud to come from the British community arts scene. It’s where I cut my teeth as an artist before getting involved with galleries and where my values around Art as an industry come from. This is a fabulous book - cheaper as an e-book FYI:
This is a free post which means the public will see your comment. If you’d like to message me privately, please email jkcalladine@outlook.com or take out a paid subscription and participate in regular Chats. I do not monitor DMs on Substack.
This is such an incredible post, thank you. The part about capitalism, so true. "Capitalism thrives on making us believe what we have is not enough; and that we always need more. More followers. More coin. More social proof. More influence." Also like "Together we create a forest." Great ending lines, thanks!
TIL, thank you!
"The Joshua Tree only grows a new branch after it blooms.
If it never blooms the tree keeps growing straight up like a finger. When it blooms, which might happen every few years if the environmental conditions are agreeable, the bloom develops into a new limb.
That’s how botanists can age a Joshua Tree, by its number of branches."