Recognition

[Shing]

There are a lot of very talented artists working in steel and a lot of them are on this forum. But, looking at the prices these artists are getting makes me wonder if knifemakers are getting the due recognition in terms of $ that artists working in other media are getting. Loveless and Moran are getting 5 figure sums for their work and few would argue they are at the apex of knifemakers in terms of prices they get. But compare that with "mainstream" artists like Damian Hirst and its a magnitude more. I wonder if we are not missing something in the audiences we are attracting that knifemaking is not as a lucrative and respected artform as others like painting, sculpture, installations or ceramics and glass. Is it seen more as skill rather than talent or do we need better marketing?

 

[NickWheeler]

Shing-


This is often the topic of late-night conversations at shows, and a constant thought in most of our minds.

A simple comparison could be made using other trades. For example, a Journeyman electrician, plumber, or welder typically makes a very respectable income. A Journeyman bladesmith hopefully can pay the light bill and have some left for food

Of course a defining difference is most people NEED electricity, working plumbing, etc., while most only WANT a custom knife.

Getting into the arena of art, opens many other doors and many other questions.

My sister is in interior design, and it often amazes me the "art" that customers commission to help decorate their homes, businesses, campuses, etc. AND the prices said "art" fetches. Boils down to relativity right?

Knives are, at their heart, a functional tool. Even if it has mosaic damascus, walrus ivory, and blued damascus fittings, it should still be a tool. It will be a very expensive tool... but you can't just price it as some abstract form of art. At least IMVHO.

So basically, to answer your question--- I don't know.

-Nick-

 

[brownshoe]

I read in an old Knives Illustrated article an interesting concept, which I have come to believe. Part of the reason why knives don't rise to the level of "art" like other things such as quilts, pottery, glass work, etc. is due to prejudice among the american public. There is a distinct prejudice agains the "manly" arts. I often go to the biggest craft/art show in Northeast, the NH show in Sunapee. The prices paid for glass, scarves, pocketbooks, furniture, etc. are astounding...however there is never a single knifemaker, flytier, duckdecoy maker, custom gunsmith, etc. I've gone to this show off and on for 40 years and not once is there a "manly" art/craftman purveying their wares or demonstrating their art. Of course there are blacksmiths, who work only in iron producting things that would receive the approval of women.

I've seen the same thing at art shows in MO, NM, and PA. I've seen the same prejudice in museums around the country. I have passed by a special exhibit of quilts in an art museum at least 10 times across this country, but have never seen the same respect for any "manly" art. The best you'll see is a "curio collection" in some local "grandma's attic" museum. Even the Randall knife collection at the Randall shop is in sad shape and needs preservation.

American men often don't stand up for what they believe is correct and good about being a man. Men need to step up and be proud of what makes them men and assure the manly arts get time in museums and hang that art knife on the wall next to the quilt.

 

[Joss]

I am not convinced knives are art. In my opinion (which I know is controversial), to be art a piece has to convey clearly a specific idea or value. A sculpture, a painting, or even a building or a piece of music can do that. But a knife? Hardly enough.

With this said, there's a good question as to why knives haven't made it on the main craft scene. I know it frustrates some of the most admired makers tremendously (Don Fogg to name one). I suspect it is because knives are associated with weapons, and sheeples don't want to see weapons in their craft shows. Maybe it is because fine craft shows are at least 50% female in attendance, whereas the knife world is at least 80% male. I suspect Arumi Hirayama wouldn't have too much problem being invited to a top craft show.

 

[RWS]

I think it all depends who the artist is and the collectibility of that artist whether it be a painting or a knife.
I've been to a number of art shows where you could pick up a beautifully painted picture for $100 or so, unframed. Actually, the mounting and framing cost more than the artwork in many instances.