Art is Sustainment

The NY Times Arts article “Leaving the Monsters Behind”, by Ted Loos, details Thomas Houseago’s lenghty journey to “Moun Room”, an exhibit at the Hauser and Wirth art gallery. Thomas Houseago was born in Britain and now resides in Los Angeles and is very much known for his “larger than life” sculptures. His first major success piece was “Baby” which debuted from 2009-2010 at the Whitney Museum of American Art. What surprised me most about Houseago, was his sentiment towards art.“My practice sustains me,” he said. “If I don’t work, I get socially bizarre and agitated. I need my practice to kind of keep me good with the world.” His interpretation of art is one that had never crossed my mind, viewing art as almost a medicine, not only regarding art to be therapeutic, but a medicinal treatment that he finds necessary to go about his daily life. What also astounded me was the immense dedication Houseago allocates towards his work. Although the large masks and sculptures are indicative of Greek and Roman civilization and it is known that Houseago is influenced by Picasso, Rodin and Brancusi, he is indeed very original in the work he creates. Today it is rare to see an artist constructing art work to the size and caliber that Houseago does, due to the impracticality of the sale of such a large pieces. The fact that it is rare for such art pieces to makes a profit hasn’t stopped Houseago from earning$269,000 for “Moon Figure I,” a bronze,

at Christie’s last year. Hauser & Wirth says that his figurative sculptures sell for up to $1 million.

Although i cannot fully relate to Houseago’s need to dive into art as a way of sustaining myself, I have indeed shared his love for sculpting with my bare hands. Senior Year I had the opportunity of taking an intro level ceramics course, in which I excelled. While others were making lop sided pots ( that was the assignment) I made a ceramic cheetah, a sports car, a yacht being attacked by a squid , and a skull with a full functioning brain. I didn’t exactly follow the curriculum but I did find a love for being able to conceive an idea and follow through to create it. I hope to one day acquire the resources to try a project of Houseago’s caliber!

11 Responses to "Art is Sustainment"

christosbakalexis says:

November 9, 2014 at 5:15 pm

Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/09/arts/design/thomas-houseagos-long-road-to-moun-room.html?ref=arts&_r=0#
holdencoreystein says:

November 10, 2014 at 7:10 am

The artist’s point of view of art being a form of “sustainment” is certainly a unique one. However, a lot of people, such as doctors, business people, and celebrities often feel that their work is the main drive for living and would not give up what they do unless it was absolutely necessary. I think people who feel this way about what they do should be admired and respected since they are clearly fulfilling their passion in life. Unfortunately, a large majority of people work in jobs they would rather not be doing, but artists such as Houseago show to people that working towards their dreams and passions is well worth the amount of effort it takes to get there.
Isabel Vulakh says:

November 10, 2014 at 10:02 am

It’s amazing to see how art can be such an important part of someone’s life. For many people, art is not a form of “sustainment,” nor is it usually a form of entertainment. Not many people are passionate about art, and even fewer “live and breathe it” like Houseago. It’s great that Houseago realized that art gives his life meaning, and chose art as his profession so he can truly enjoy what he does. Like Holden said, many people work in jobs they don’t necessarily like, and therefore don’t have the passion or drive to fulfill their dreams. Houseago, on the other hand, took the initiative to find what gives him sustainment, and decided to work on it for the rest of his life.
nicholasleung says:

November 10, 2014 at 10:10 am

I love that line the line where he says that he needs his works to represent or sustain him, or else he goes crazy. That’s how I feel whenever I write music or perform or whatever: I think without it I would go crazy. His works are strangely creepy and beautiful all at the same time. His sculpting does seem to echo some sort of Greek-Roman art form, but it’s totally new. It seems like something I would see in an ancient civilization…or a really good action-adventure video game. Anyways, Houseago’s works and the motive behind the works are truly inspiring. Thanks for the article!
michalsudo says:

November 10, 2014 at 7:46 pm

Houseago categorizing art as his “sustainment” surprised me, initially I assumed he intended to portray that he lives off of his art, but in the sense that his works of art provide him a physical endowment. The ability to express one’s self is incredibly important, and the fact that Houseago needs to paint in order to express himself evokes both admiration and pity; admiration simply because he found what he loves in life and is doing it, but pity because his love of sculptures is almost confining him. As much as I wouldn’t like to be forced to rely so heavily on a specific form of expression I must admit the connection that he probably has with each of his sculptures is something I wish I could experience and cherish.
anandpoonai says:

November 10, 2014 at 9:02 pm

Its really great that Houseago is extremely passionate about his artwork. After reading your response, it seems as if Houseago eats, breathes, and sleeps art. When he categorizes his art as “sustainment”, I was slightly confused at it first, but then I realized that art physically keeps him going. Without art, he believes that he cannot function, and although that seems a bit hyperbolic, I really admire his passion and drive. As a dedicated soccer player, I sort of understand where he is coming from when he says, “If I don’t work, I get socially bizarre and agitated. I need my practice to kind of keep me good with the world.” When someone is really passionate about their specific interest, they feel the need to constantly work on perfecting their art. Not many people are really passionate about something, so I take my hat off to Houseago.
Ann Privorotskiy says:

November 11, 2014 at 1:31 am

I think it’s truly admirable to see an artist, such as Houseago, take such dedication and commitment in his work. While I agree that saying it sustains him is a bit overdramatic, I can’t blame him for using this hyperbole because he wouldn’t be the first person to have over exaggerated when discussing something of passion. His pieces are clearly for a particular audience that can appreciate the size and impracticality of his pieces, I think they’re unique and I can safely say that I haven’t seen anything like it. I can only hope that my future contains a career that makes me feel as though without it, I am incomplete.
stephenesses says:

November 11, 2014 at 2:26 pm

Personally,I love being able to see the passion people have in their work. I enjoy being able to see people who truly devote their lives to the thing that they love. Hopefully one day I am able to do this, but it just makes me smile when I see people who are passionate, and love what they do. This is clearly the case with Houseago, he loves what he does and has devoted his life to it. The ability to do this is not one that everyone has, but is important. It is much easier to be successful when you enjoy what you are trying to do. While I can’t really relate to this in terms of being an artist, the example he sets is useful in all areas no matter what you enjoy doing.
krystalau says:

November 16, 2014 at 5:41 pm

I think it is truly amazing how art can also be used for medicinal purposes. I have heard people using art to express their feelings or using art to relieve their stress. But I have never heard of someone that has to rely on art to this extent where if he doesn’t make art, then he starts to act bizarre and agitated. Thomas Houseago’s sculpture looks very unique and original. I like the one that looks like half clay and half drawing. I think it is amazing when people can find the one thing they are truly passionate about and they cannot live without it. I still have not yet found that one thing, and I hope to find it soon.
Bethany Freynk says:

November 16, 2014 at 7:50 pm

It is spectacular how easily one can decipher an artist’s influence. According to Houseago, Picasso has impacted his art greatly. This is visible by looking at his sculptures. For example, the organic forms in the faces of these pieces are a reflection of Picasso’s African period, where all of his work was a combination of traditional African masks and modern art. Houseago’s work is powerful due to its size. I believe that the bulk of these sculptures add to the affect it has on viewers. His work has a very limited color palette as all the figures are either natural wood colored or white and black. This adds a very primitive feel to his collection. I am happy to see traditional forms of art reinvented in the era of contemporary art. It is not surprising that his tutor is a South African artist, as his sculpture portrays the style and forms of African art with a modern twist, where line and shape converge in an original manner.
Sydney Marino says:

November 17, 2014 at 8:14 am

I can completely understand the drive to always be busy. I feel, when I am not busy, I can go insane. Time not doing anything is just wasted time. Before college, one of my favorite things to do to keep busy was film making. I use to have a youtube channel and everything. (You cant find it anymore, I took it down) I always loved making films and being able to create master pieces. It made me feel amazing the things I created.