To show or not to show. If you  fancy yourself an artist, you may wonder about the importance of sharing your work. Art is so often personal, and it can be really difficult to put yourself onto a stage where everyone can see you. But what is the alternative? Not showing relegates your creative efforts to obscurity. It would be like a musician playing music but with no one listening.

Art is meant to be shared. In fact, it can be argued that if it is not shared there is no art. Seeing connects us to each other. We are in the same space and at the same time, there is a moment of communion when we look at art. We are seeing into another person’s mind. We may like or dislike what we see, but we are there together. In some way, art is universal. It is part of what makes us human. There is great hope in art because it transcends our differences. Being an artist has a moral dimension to it. Our experiences of beauty, or joy or excitement are just too valuable not to share. A lot of people want these things but do not know how to get them.

It might seem strange, but you actually have a duty to engage your imagination and sense of wonder. This is where art becomes meaningful.

Make art useful not in the sense of utilitarian but purposeful. Art can and should be a part of the larger fabric of society. Try to think of yourself as a scientist,  someone in search of the truth of things. What is the truth of color or line? What is the truth of emotion or thought?

The scientist is interested in the truth of facts but what about the truth of experience, joy and curiosity? If we embrace our role as scientists of the spirit, then we are genuinely useful to society. But in order to fully understand this role, we need to show our work. It is the evidence of our research.

But who cares? We may never know. Certainly,  not everyone likes the same things. Our job does not depend on being accepted. As much as we would like to be liked, what really counts is our self respect. Being an artist is just a reference to someone who creates their life. It is the artistic lifestyle. But what it means is open to interpretation. It is a work in progress because there are no blueprints that tell us what to do or how to do it. People are curious about art but really have little idea of what it is. So we make proposals. Art is about expression, or art is decorative or maybe art is political. And then we go on to press our point. “Look, art is about beauty and here is my work to prove it”.  In this way, artists are competing for attention and a chance to be relevant. If you want to be a part of something larger than yourself, then you had better be prepared to show your work.

There are other more pragmatic reasons for showing. People buy art and art can help support you. When art pays its way, it becomes much more sustainable. This is a critical distinction, it is is the difference between an amateur and a professional. We must find a way to keep it up. Talent is helpful but perseverance is what is essential. The artist takes life as it is and turns it into art. It’s all art, but not without effort. Showing your work is a part of that effort. You are doing your part. You are not a failure if you show regardless of the consequences.

Another reason for showing is to make room, both physically and mentally for more art. It is a kind of house cleaning. When a piece leaves the studio, even for a while it liberates space which makes it easier to make something new. The best solution is to find a permanent home for your work where it will always be on show.

It is a personal choice whether to show or not. It takes considerable effort to exhibit not to mention associated costs like framing and entry fees. Maybe all you can manage is to make some art. Its understandable. But when you share your work it at least has the possibility of having a life of it’s own that might actually outlive you. You have linked yourself to the rest of humanity.