Is negative criticism actually a good thing?
Nitsa reading comments from viewers
Negative criticism can come from many different directions; it can be a bad review by someone of you or your artwork, it can be a hurtful comment on one of your social media posts, and sadly, it can also happen in a real life situation from someone you know, or even a stranger (and I'm not sure which one is worse). I'm sure most creative people who are brave enough to put their artwork out there come across negative criticism at some point. The negative criticism can happen anywhere you might show your creative work but I believe it happens mostly online. This is where these so-called critics can hide behind their keyboard and they don't have to actually face you. These online comments can sometimes become really unkind and personal, so for now let's just concentrate on the "well-wishers" who justify their negativity by labeling it "constructive criticism". These art critics are nice people who know so much about YOUR art, they know what's RIGHT FOR YOU and how YOU SHOULD do your art. They care so much that they just have to share their opinion with you. But if their judgemental words are supposed to be effective and help you with your artwork, I find it defies common sense that someone knows better than you how YOU should do your art. Isn't art all about SELF-expression?
Downtown Chicago / Mixed media collage with photo transfer and paint.
When I began taking an interest in photography in the late 90s, I quickly developed an approach to photography which I called no-rules photography or in short, non-photography. The idea behind non-p was that a photographer or any other artist should follow their inner drive and not a set of rules and guidelines. (This is just a short and simplified explanation of the theory of non-photography.) Looking back, I think that because of this approach I really never had to deal with criticism at all. It's not to say that I didn't get any negative criticism but it was not my work that was ever criticized, it was actually my ideas about non photography that irritated a few people. I know there are people who, when criticized, just shut down, but I'm the opposite, and often criticism motivates me to take on new challenges. So when my way of thinking about photography was criticized, it actually fueled and helped me explore it further and even to develop new methods. I realize most articles, books and "professionals" will tell you to listen to criticism and try to learn from it because it improves your art. But I say the only thing that will improve your art is you doing your thing just the way it feels right to YOU. That's it. Negative analysis of your work or what sometimes is politely referred to as "constructive criticism" should be avoided and maybe even ignored. I really believe it will only divert you from your true artistic direction.
But who's standing there in the shadows behind this unwelcoming narrative? Let's see if we can solve this mystery. When I see someone's artwork which I don't love or it doesn't speak to me , what do I do? How do I react? I simply move on. I don't ever stop to say anything, comment or express my negative opinion. Why should I spend time and energy on something that doesn't speak to me? Life is way too short! Besides, I always feel that it's unreasonable that I should tell someone what they did wrong or how they should express themselves and just because their artwork doesn't speak to ME doesn't mean it's not good and it definitely doesn't mean someone else might not just love it.
So now the question is, who are these people who take their time to stop everything they were doing just to let you know how lousy your artwork is? It seems like these people have too much time on their hands, which they are spending spreading negativity instead of being busy creating something. I strongly believe these people are really jealous of your success or your artwork which they must find to be extremely good. In fact, if you manage to evoke these strong feelings of jealousy in someone you must be great at what you do. So if we stop and think about it, negative criticism is actually a good thing!! Honest feedback is what you need. For example, when I created one of my recent online courses, I approached a few creative people I trusted and asked for their evaluation of my class. I offered them to take my class for free in return for some honest feedback. I was looking to see if there were any improvements needed. This worked out wonderfully, because it gave me the confidence I needed to the effectiveness of the class, and it helped me improve it. Bottom line, don't let the negativity get to you. I know we all love validation all the time, but its just silly to waste your time and focus on that random negative comment from an underachiever. Trust yourself, if your art feels right to you that's all that matters. And now, turn off the outside world and go create something great!
