Shawn barber

Who I'd like to meet:

Imitation and artistic plagiarism is something that will always be there. As a teacher, I really try and challenge students to think for themselves and be "their own artist" with their own voice. Make art from your own experiences, whatever they may be. The younger you are, maybe the less experience you have- Travel, explore, read, observe EVERYTHING. Be a sponge. Take it all in and then reflect and make art from these experiences. Art is creation and self expression; experimentation and progression. If you are expressing yourself through someone else's imagery, personal icons and symbols- What does that say about you? Is it art? Is it right? Who decides? You have to ask yourself, as someone who has no identity- other than being someone who can emulate their idols, are you a fanboy doing "fanart"? Personally, my opinion is that it's a slap in the face if you do it more than once. It's not art and the plagiarist is just pathetic, thoughtless and lazy. Who cares if you become famous or the flavor of the month- anyone can do that. It's too damn easy to come up with a gimmick- that's what advertising and commercialism is all about. Is it art? or commodity?