On The Struggle for Historical Space

Though I would certainly consider myself an artist, I would not say that I am a cermasist. However, Paul Greenhalgh in his article provided me with a very specific lens. I was able to relate to a struggle that I believe every artist must undergo and I was able to see that struggle more specifically in the world of ceramics. Initially, I felt Greenhalgh’s way of writing was a bit disorganized, but his perspectives and deconstructions were no less valid. Cermaics shouldn’t be subjected to the processes of understanding and developing theories and histories for painting. For that matter, ceramics should not be tossed in a bucket with anything but ceramics. And that being said, the same standard should be followed for all art. You can’t expect a piece of ceramics or sculpture to occupy the same purpose a drawing or a painting would, and it very well may, but it shouldn’t be expected. Though, I do believe the history of each individual artistic practice can hold relevance to its comrades (those being the other arts). So while all art may fall on one large grid, no two sorts art should be measured, quantified, or assessed on the same spectrum.