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E-mail as received by editor from Cherry Hood, winner of $35,000 and the Archibald Prize
SEE MORE Dear John, my husband and I enjoyed an incredible experience when we stayed in Cooktown about 6 years ago. It was real Australia we thought. we were working in the UK at the time and had been away for twelve months. we recently enjoyed reading a wonderful feature article about Cooktown in the SMH and dreamed about moving up there. we discussed what a little piece of heaven it is. However a friend has just drawn my attention to your extremely hurtful and indeed harmful article about my Archibald painting. I have only been showing for two years and I am very sorry that this painting was not up to your lofty expectations. I have raized three children and went back to art school when the youngest finished studying and got his first real job. I did my very best to make a wonderful painting. I know I am not there yet and may never be but I work very hard at it. Being an artist and putting what you do out there is a very hard thing to do. It takes a lot of courage and it is very easy to get hurt. I am sure as a writer you would understand these risks. You are sticking your neck out for people to come along and have there opinions about your work. You always feel very fragile and sensitive about it. I always doubt what I am doing it is very hard to finish a work and say ok I think it is ok now. It is never good enough. It is important for everyone to have there say and their own opinions about such a public exhibition as the Archibald. Indeed a couple of the art critics were a bit tough on me and I respect there views and have taken their constructive criticism on board for my new works. However entering art competitions is an important source of income for artists as it is almost impossible to make a living in as an artist in Australia otherwise. There are many paintings which I also do not like but I would never use the internet or other such public forums to hurt and slander the poor artist who without ego has done their best. The painting or what it looks like or how it has offended you is not important enough in the scheme of things to warrant such an attack. If I don't like something I do not have to look at it. I hope your article on my painting has achieved what ever it was you wanted to achieve by now and that you would find it in your heart to now take it off your internet sight. I hope you can have some feelings for me. kind regards cherry hood
Brake down of e-mail with editor's reply in red
Dear John, my husband and I enjoyed an incredible experience when we stayed in Cooktown about 6 years ago. It was real Australia we thought. we were working in the UK at the time and had been away for twelve months. we recently enjoyed reading a wonderful feature article about Cooktown in the SMH and dreamed about moving up there. we discussed what a little piece of heaven it is.
I am pleased you liked Cooktown, we are friendly and outspoken like most Australians.However a friend has just drawn my attention to your extremely hurtful and indeed harmful article about my Archibald painting. I have only been showing for two years and I am very sorry that this painting was not up to your lofty expectations.
They say any publicity is good publicity, as for lofty expectations, I just state my opinion and that is if you gave me your painting I would not hang it on my wall.I have raized three children and went back to art school when the youngest finished studying and got his first real job. I did my very best to make a wonderful painting.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.I know I am not there yet and may never be but I work very hard at it. Being an artist and putting what you do out there is a very hard thing to do. It takes a lot of courage and it is very easy to get hurt. I am sure as a writer you would understand these risks.
Personally I like criticism, if you only hear "It wonderful darling" you never learn.You are sticking your neck out for people to come along and have there opinions about your work. You always feel very fragile and sensitive about it .
If you are sensitive don't stick your head up, which you are doing by entering public exhibitions.I always doubt what I am doing it is very hard to finish a work and say ok I think it is ok now. It is never good enough.
They should have taught you at art school to have self-confidence.It is important for everyone to have there say and their own opinions about such a public exhibition as the Archibald. Indeed a couple of the art critics were a bit tough on me and I respect there views and have taken their constructive criticism on board for my new works.
I think a lot of Art critics live in some world of their own or are just waffling to make money.However entering art competitions is an important source of income for artists as it is almost impossible to make a living in as an artist in Australia otherwise.
Like anyone who produces something to make a living, you have to produce something the public want and I don't think your painting comes in this category.There are many paintings which I also do not like but I would never use the internet or other such public forums to hurt and slander the poor artist who without ego has done their best.
Anyone who enters for the Archibald Prize has entered a public forum and as such must except the views of others.The painting or what it looks like or how it has offended you is not important enough in the scheme of things to warrant such an attack. If I don't like something I do not have to look at it.
I hope your article on my painting has achieved what ever it was you wanted to achieve by now and that you would find it in your heart to now take it off your internet sight. I hope you can have some feelings for me. kind regards cherry hood.