Interview with Richard Sloat

ART, WHATEVER IT TAKES

Since the early pandemic in 2020, Rome Art Program has conducted a series of interviews, “Art, Whatever It Takes.”
Artists, Art Critics, and Art Historians living in Italy, the U.S., and U.K., share their insights during these powerful times.

Richard Sloat NA’s has 50+ years of Artistic Creation with 100’s of shows and work in major Museums Past President of SAGA, Elected to the NAD, Board Member and Recoding Secretary, he has a Lifetime Achievement Award from Who’s Who.

RAP: What is your definition of “art” today?

Richard Sloat: Art is and has always been a dialog of the artist with their Being and the World. A communication to the eventual viewer.

RAP: Art is dynamic and regenerates itself… how does it change, and how did it change us?

Richard: Art reflects and changes with its Time. Art that is ahead of its time takes a while to be appreciated and Art that reflects the Past is appreciated by those who value what has been. Art is a doorway into the World , often a new seeing of what it is to look at this World of ours, and a doorway into ones own being , the World and our Human Community.

RAP: When (and how) did you understand that art was becoming very important in your life?

Richard: Although I was good at art in Grade School I had no idea of being an Artist till I dropped out of College in my Junior Year. In NYC I met and hung out with some Art Students from SVA. Going back to College in my Senior year I took a basic drawing class with Rackstraw Downes, the rest is History.

RAP: What role does art play today? What are the “great figures” who have recently changed it? Do you feel close to any of these figures?

Richard: Today as reflection of our troubled times Art has become more focused on the Political giving us incites to other cultures, the effects of War, and Political Corruption. Still the Art Scene is diverse accepting all forms of art. To me Art is a collective effort, and I have been lucky to have met many fine artists who have helped and influenced me. But with the diversity of Art today I do not see a “great” artist who has influenced us all such as a Picasso.

RAP: Are there still traditional figures such as collectors, muses, mecenate and patrons, in today’s art and society interaction model?

Richard: Art is always aided by those who appreciate Art. They certainly help artists in their endeavors. To this we can add Curators and Art Dealers. Gallery owners have certainly helped me in my Art Career.

RAP: How have the new technologies and media culture changed art today, improving or worsening it…? What do you feel are your biggest challenges?

Richard: New technologies and media certainly have changed Art . We all can view masses of images on the internet. And everyone with a smart phone can be a photographer and send the images out instantly. The use of Neon, Digital Printing, Video, Plastics, etc. have even made new categories of Art. The media or type of Art is not the issue but how does it communicate to the viewer, is it quality Art, or banal, worthy to be viewed many times with new insights or Art Candy for the Eye. The challenge is to make the best Art that I can.

RAP: Art as a mirror of man, in this moment of emergency seems to be shattered …what do these fragments reflect now?… Shadow or light of the moment?

Richard: Art is still the mirror of Man. In this moment of emergency it can gives incite to the troubles, how we might deal with them. But Art as always can give comfort. We do not have to constantly dwell on the troubles but might take some moments with Art to see the beauty of this World.

RAP: Understanding, interpreting, and then possibly judging the work of art; which is the right path when we are in front of a piece of art?

Richard: Art is a dialog between the Artwork and the viewer. Almost like talking with a Friend. Interpreting, understanding, judging, seeing, even a dialog with the Artist all can be part of the viewing. If the Viewer sees the World in a new light, arrived at a new incite or just found comfort then the viewing has been worthwhile.

RAP: Which is the real role of Academies and Art schools today? What can artists learn from these institutions today?

Richard: Art Schools should, as they always have done, teach the Art Student to become an Artist on their own. Once you have learned to be an Artist on your own you learn from everywhere. From Museums, from History, from Fellow Artists, from Looking, Looking, Looking, and from just Living. Most of all you learn from Doing the Artwork!!!

RAP: Art too has undergone a complex process of globalization; can having an authentic and genuine style be an advantage or a drag for an artist?

Richard: I am the type of artist that changes style as my thoughts and viewpoint change. But I have seen many artists who have maintain their style throughout their career and done wonderful work. I have also seen some artists who become trapped in their style and repeat themselves over and over. The important thing is in the final work, is it worth viewing?

RAP: How do Art Galleries and Museums position themselves today, and, in your opinion, how should they?

Richard: Art Galleries and Museums like us all flow with the time. So today we can see much more Political Art. I come from a time when Aesthetics was the chief criteria to judge a work of art. There are some wonderful artist that reflect the political consideration but I would wish there would be more aesthetic judgments of today’s artists. An artist is not good just because they fit the politically correct criteria.

RAP: “Figuration” vs “Abstraction”. Which of the two is better descriptive of the period we live in? Which one will have a better future?

Richard: As far back as we can go in Art History , the Stone Age, we have had both “Figuration” and “Abstraction”. At times one or the other dominates, but they both are a part of our Art World and will be. Today in our very diverse Art World I find both shown in the Galleries and Museums, figuration has the edge.

RAP: Today we often speak of “emerging artists”; what advice based on your experience do you feel you can give to young artists?

Richard: I would advise a young artist as stated in question #9 learn how to be an artist on your own. Once you have learned to be an Artist on your own you learn from everywhere. From Museums, from History, from Fellow Artists, from Looking, Looking, Looking, and from just Living. Most of all you learn from Doing the Artwork!!!

RAP: Art as a lens for reading the present, can it modify the space and time we pass through? …will art save us?

Richard: I do not think Art can save us. But it can make life more worthwhile, giving us incites comfort and vision. And this is what it can do for Society as well!

www.richardsloat.com