Who are your art BFFs?
I hope you’re now making a mental list of several arty types who hang out with you discussing why you make art, why Instagram is still useful for an artist (or is it?), and whether you should start another Substack.
Since I wrote the piece on Frida Kahlo, María Izquierdo, and Lola Álvarez Bravo (linked below if you didn’t read it) I’ve been wanting to write something about the friendships between artist women and how vital they are to the sustainability of art practices.
The conventional way of writing about artists is to pull them out of context and spotlight their work as if nobody else was around them. But that’s bullshit—nobody works alone—and as I wrote in my essay, Frida Kahlo would never have shown her work in Mexico if it weren’t for her best friend Lola.
Over the years I’ve been supported by artist women who’ve offered me jobs, exhibitions, mentorship, peer support, and friendship. They’ve been there for me when I moved 5,000 miles away from “home”; when I was caring for my dying mum, grieving the loss of both my parents, and on numerous occasions when I’m doubting whether I’m really an artist at all.
I wouldn’t be here writing about art if it weren’t for those friendships.
In honour of some of those BFFs, I want to dedicate this Beyond Frida to three incredibly talented artist women who are constantly there for my art practice.
Below I’m sharing individual Substack or Instagram posts from three artists who are part of my mutual support circle. We meet every two weeks via Zoom, chat constantly on Discord and keep each other accountable, inspired, and challenged.
I hope you click on the links, check out their work, and maybe they’ll become art friends too.
3. Liz Ruest (@lizruest on Instagram)
It takes a village, as they say, and sustaining a creative practice takes a studio full of artists, whether present in person, pinging you on Discord, Zooming, or texting.
I hope you are held in such communities, but if you need a friend remember that our weekend Chats are there for you to seek support. I send a Chat reminder every Friday/Saturday morning but you can add a message any time under a previous Chat.
Paid subscribers, you don’t need to wait for me, I’ve given you the authority to start a Chat, so go ahead anytime you want to vent, celebrate or seek a friendly voice.
These are hard times. Let’s be there for each other.
Until next time.
JC
If you missed it, here’s my post on Frida and her friends. It’s one of my best (IMHO)
<3 I follow Maria and Clare and need to look up Liz. Lovely work!
This is fantastic — and that essay about Lola and María! I’m so inspired. I live within walking distance to the Center for Creative Photography, and I’ve explored their archives a couple of times (you can arrange private viewings — for free!). I’m going to have to organize my artist group (all of whom, except me, are women), to visit.
When I got to the part where you mention that all three artists fell into the void until Frida was “rediscovered” in the 70s, it made my heart ache. How many brilliant works have been lost to patriarchal history? How many more Lolas and Marías and Hilma af Klints are there waiting to be unearthed from the landslide of male ego.