Wave of the Future

December 23, 2024

As an artist, the idea of conforming to the standards and expectations set by the previous generation of curators, critics, and collectors often feels like an unnecessary constraint. It’s not that I’m disrespecting their achievements or contributions to the art world—far from it. But the truth is, their rules were made for their time, and my work, my vision, my voice is built for the now, the future, and the evolving landscape of art that is yet to be fully realized.

Tides of Change

The truth about the art world is simple: it’s cyclical. Each generation brings with it a new wave of visionaries, disruptors, and curators, and with every wave, a fresh outlook is formed. In one era, minimalism may dominate; in the next, abstract expressionism resurges with a new urgency. The mediums change, the styles evolve, and the voices that once defined an epoch can become background noise, swept aside by the tide of progress.

When I think about the future of art, I imagine it as a continuous cycle of incoming waves—new curators, museum directors, collectors, and critics ready to champion the art that speaks to their time. These aren’t the same people who defined yesterday’s art scene. They’re looking ahead, and they’re open to the innovative, the unorthodox, and the brave. Their tastes, preferences, and values will shape the next chapter, and my work will burst in with the same unstoppable force as the tide.

In a way, this new wave of thought leaders is inevitable. It’s not a rejection of what came before, but rather a natural progression toward something fresh. I am a part of that next wave, and my role as an artist is not to cater to yesterday’s standards, but to create art that speaks to today and tomorrow.

Art Isn’t a Contest, It’s a Movement

In the face of change, the question isn't whether the preceding generation will accept me—it’s whether I’m making the work that’s true to myself and my vision. If my art challenges the conventions of the past, then that’s exactly what I’m supposed to be doing. Art isn't a contest of approval; it's about contributing to an ongoing conversation, adding a new chapter to a story that has no final page.

The most significant artists in history were often dismissed by their contemporaries. Think of Van Gogh, who struggled to gain recognition during his lifetime. Or Picasso, whose early works were considered scandalous. If artists had only created what was accepted by the older generations, we would have missed out on an incredible array of art that redefined the landscape.

Just as I don’t expect approval from the past, I don’t measure success by how well I fit into existing molds. The goal is to push boundaries, not to reinforce the comfort of tradition. I may not receive validation from critics who grew up with a different understanding of what art "should" be, but that doesn’t mean my work lacks value or relevance. In fact, it may be that the very reason my art is difficult for them to accept is because it’s so inextricably tied to the next wave, the new movement, and the future of art itself.

Embracing the Future

There’s something invigorating about looking ahead instead of dwelling on the past. Every brushstroke, every sculptural form, every piece I create is a dialogue with the future. While the art of the past has paved the way, I’m more concerned with where the conversation is heading.

If I think about the success of my work, it’s not based on how it’s received by the establishment of the past, but on how it resonates with those who will come after—those who understand that art doesn’t live in static categories or linear timelines. It’s a dynamic, ever-evolving thing.

Bursting In Like the Tide

So, do I care about the approval of the preceding generation? Absolutely not. The future is where I’m headed, and it’s where my art belongs. As the new curators, museum directors, and collectors emerge, they will see my work for what it truly is—a vital part of the ever-moving conversation of art. They’ll recognize that my creations don’t belong to the past, nor do they adhere to old expectations; they belong to the future. And when I arrive, I’ll come bursting in like the tide, unstoppable, powerful, and ready to redefine the very notion of what art can be. Because in the end, it’s not about fitting in. It’s about shaping the future. And that’s exactly what I intend to do.