The Meaning of "Mixed Media."

[jufergu]

I was wondering what your definition of "Mixed Media" would be, if you entered a piece in a fine arts competition at the fair. I was surprised this year when all of the prizes in this category went to watercolor painters. They had paintings with watercolor, acrylic and ink. I was the only one who entered a fabric art piece, with photography, beads, hand felting, paper, polymer clay and metal elements on fabric. I got nothing. They did tell me that I got a lot of "Viewer's Choice" votes. The piece I entered was "Heart's Desire." You can see it on my blog.

Am I wrong in being surprised at this? By the way, the judge is a watercolor artist.

[lyn]

I have always understood 'mixed media' to be a combination of different materials composed into a pleasing design using various methods such as painting, sewing, glueing etc.

Watercolour paints are different from acrylic but they are both paints therefore they are one medium.

Or have I got hold of the wrong end of the stick?

[MTRuth]

I agree that painters who use different kind of paints shouldn't be considered mixed media. But I've seen a lot of that around here as well. Did you ask the judges what their definition of mixed media is?

[jufergu]

I actually know the judge. I did ask and she said that mixed media can be acrylic, watercolor and ink. I said these are actually just water media. When they exhibit watercolor shows at the museum, they include all these media. They call them watercolor. But.....I don't think she shared this view. She did give me a 2nd place last year for my "Legends of the Ozarks." That was inktense pencil on fabric, cut out and appliqued to peltex, and mounted onto a quilted background. I am the only non painter exhibiting in the Mixed Media category.

[koffipot]

On looking up various definitions, it would seem that the use of only 2 materials constitutes Mixed Media Art. Two different types of paint, is enough, or indeed a painted pencil drawing!

Art is subjective and I'm no art expert, but like you, I would have thought the media should be more varied.

Judith

[zed]

The medium is anything you use to create art, whether it is a pencil or fimo, watercolours etc, so anytime two or more different ones are used it is mixed media. If it is their intention to have a mixed media painting section they should clarify this, and maybe create another category for art that doesn't have paint as the main medium

[jufergu]

I guess my thought is that Acrylic painters and Watercolor painters have their own category, plus the mixed media category to exhibit. While I have only one, and it is really hard to compete with professional painters. I am a painter and know that fiber art is much, much harder.

[zed]

I think people who do 'fine arts' seem to regard fibre art, collage, mixed media etc as on a level with kids with glue, toilet roll tubes and tissue paper.

[koffipot]

You're right there Zed!

[lyn]

Hello Zed - in response to your mention of fine arts, I thought you'd be interested in this post I put on Crafts Forum UK on 28th July:

"I've just watched an episode of 'Show me the Monet' - it's a bit like X factor for art - and I am so furious about something that I need to share.

Amanda Richardson, a successful and very talented textile artist from Penzance, submitted a stunning piece of textile art but it was rejected by the judges because it's "craft" not "art".

In the same episode a photograph of part of a nude man's back was accepted and exhibited as fine art.

I don't understand the divide between art and craft. Why is a picture made of paint considered superior to a picture made of fabric? And, come to that, how can a photograph be considered art when other mediums are not?

Aaargh!!"

[Shepherdess]

I agree some artists and art groups think of themselves as very special and seem to have very long noses to look down on everyone that doesn't do what they do. I know some very good and knowledgeable and nice artists but I know some real snobs. the snobs are only interested in promoting themselves and how important they are and are not interested in anyone that can't further them or worship at their feet.

[zed]

Lyn, that would have had me fuming! Cheeky sods!

I don't know, what is the divide between art and craft? I think maybe it's craft when the components are bought and assembled, rather than made personally? And by that I mean there is less percentage of skill and it's done on a more casual basis, rather than worked on and perfected over time.
My mum makes greetings cards, and though she puts a lot of work into them, she buys designs to print and cut out and colour herself then sticks them on the card. I'd call that craft.
If she drew those images herself I'd call it art. Does that make sense?

Maybe next time you should enter a self portrait, Judy, made on a paper plate with wool for hair and pasta for features? They might recognise their snobbery, then?

[zed]

In fact, I am fuming, and I didn't even watch it!
They don't know their arts from their elbow

[lyn]

Zed - I couldn't have put it better myself!

[jufergu]

Well, you have all expressed my frustrations exactly. I exhibit with mostly painters. I am also a painter. But when I try to exhibit with the painters and use my Fiber Arts, galleries don't accept me. Even though, I put a lot more effort into the fiber art than the paintings I do. I do not consider myself a quilter, but they want to put me in with home arts and crafts. I do some photography with my mixed media, but I can't enter into Photograpy exhibits. So, again, just what is Mixed Media? I have Mixed Media Fiber Art on my card. I am using so many different elements in my work now and adding more. I just wish the art world would move into the next century. Maybe I am in the Renaissance of Mixed Media.