VISUAL ART: Anthea McGibbon speaks on being an art critic

A student of a local high school questions Anthea McGibbon on being an art critic recently. Here are her responses.

When and why did you become interested in becoming an art critic?
CRITICISING ART IS SOMETHING I’VE ALWAYS BEEN INVOLVED IN, SINCE CHILDHOOD. ITS LIKE THE SINGER WHO STARTED SINGING FROM CHILDHOOD.
What is the most interesting or best part of your job?
THE RESPONSE. I AM ALMOST BROUGHT TO TEARS WHEN ARTIST AFTER ARTIST CLAIM THEY LOVE AND CONNECT WITH MY INTERPRETATIONS, AS WELL AS DEEM AS ONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, CONNECT AND RELATES TO THEM. I AM INSPIRED BY THE COLLECTORS, STUDENTS WHO REACT POSITIVELY AND RELY ON MY WORK TO MAKE THEIR OWN PROGRESS. I AM VERY EXCITED WHEN I KNOW I HAVE INSPIRED AND HELP OTHERS TO MOVE FORWARD BY BEING AN ART CRITIC.

What is the most difficult part of your job?
WHEN PERSONS ARE NOT UNDERSTANDING OF THE WEIGHT OF WORK AND TRY TO PRESSURE ME TO CHOOSE TO CRITIQUE OR REVIEW THEIR WORK OVER OTHERS.
What kind of artworks do you critique?
I CRITIQUE ALL CREATIVE WORK, BUT WITH PRIORITY ON VISUAL ARTWORK.
Do you work for a company or a freelancer? Why?
I WORK WITH ANYONE WHO NEEDS MY SKILL. I REVIEWED FOR THE gLEANER FOR EXAMPLE AND AN ART GALLERY IN FLORIDA.
What artworks did you like or would like to critique?
I AM REALLY FASCINATED WITH CREATIVE EXPRESSIONS AND EACH IS UNIQUE AND ATTRACTS ME DIFFERENTLY.
What artwork was the most difficult to critique?
I NO LONGER FIND ANY CHALLENGING AS THERE ARE VARIED ANGLES FROM WHICH TO CRITIQUE.
What artwork did you dislike? Why?
I SERIUOSLY CANT IDENTIFY ANY PARTICULAR ARTWORK, AS IT’S ALL ABOUT EXPRESSIONS, CREATIVITY AND PERSPECTIVES. I MAY NOT AGREE WITH WHATS BEING TRANSMITTED BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN I HATE IT.
Do you work with anyone or do you work alone? Why?
I WORK ALONE. I AM A METICULOUS PERSON. I LOVE DETAIL THAT OTHERS FIND TOO TEDIOUS. BESIDES I GET SO INVOLVED IN WHAT I AM DOING, I GO TO LEVELS THAT OTHERS JUST DONT HAVE THE PATIENCE TO TRAVEL WITH ME.
What are some big things that you look at first when you critique an artwork? Why?
‘BIG THINGS’ LETS SEE IF I UNDERSTAND YOU. I LOOK FOR STYLE. I LOOK FOR APPLICATION. I LOOK AT POSSIBLE OBJECTIVES AND IF ACHIEVED AS STARTERS.
What are some well-known artworks you critiqued?
AHH GEEE. THE WORKS OF JAMAICANS COLIN GARLAND, BARRINGTON WATSON, A FEW AMERICANS AND WORKS BY DECEASED INTERNATIONAL MASTER PAINTERS.
Do you critique very harshly? Explain.
YOU KNOW WHAT. ARTISTS WHO CLAIM THAT I DO INTIALLY, IN THE END ALWAYS RETURN TO THANK ME AS IN THE END THEY BENEFIT. SO HARSH TO ME IS JUST THE JAMAICAN WAY OF SAYING ‘HONEST’ IN THIS REGARD.
How long do you work?
THIS DEPENDS ON THE PIECE, THE OCCASION AND PURPOSE FOR THE CRITIQUE.
Where do you work?
I NOW HAVE MY OFFICE AT 3 SOUTH AVENUE.
(Also include examples like websites, pictures, visuals etc. about your job.)
PLEASE SEE EXAMPLES OF ARTICLES ON GLEANER SITE AND MY SITE.

Thank you

EDITOR’S NOTES:::Name and age unpublished to protect identity of student by request!

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