“An essential portion of any artist’s labor is not creation so much as invocation.”
I have spun through more than one existential crisis about why I am making more things in a world that already has so much. Why should I be creating dishes when Ikea already does an excellent job of providing cheap dishware? My answer came to me from the incredible book The Gift: Creativity and the Artist in the Modern World by Lewis Hyde. In a capitalist environment, Hyde explains how vital it is to create as an artist and look for ways to transform their work from commodities to gifts. Working with organizations like the Banff Centre and the Banff Public Library has aided me in my endeavour to decolonize capitalism by allowing me to continue creating my work through their continued support, then by giving my work as gifts to say thank you to their amazing communities.
Mugs for the Banff Public Library, 2021.
“When the gift moves in a circle its motion is beyond the control of the personal ego, and so each bearer must be a part of the group and each donation is an act of social faith.”
This book has given me two gifts: 1. To work towards breaking the market value of the commodity and instead place value on a gift given freely, and 2. To enjoy long and thoughtful anthropological studies on human society. I have since gone on to enjoy books by Hans Rosling, Charles Duhigg, Olivia Laing, Kenneth C. Davis, and Daniel Kahneman who have all taught me how to be a better person.
My copy of the book The Gift: Creativity and the Artist in the Modern World by Lewis Hyde. I have read it numerous times and it has become a way of being for me.
I am thankful to work with The Banff Centre and The Banff Public Library as their organization align with my own artistic, personal and community values. During my Banff Artist in Residence (BAiR) residency at the Banff Centre from 2009 - 2016, they commissioned me to make over 400 pieces for their thank you packages. I am honoured to have been gifted commissions to create these wonderful pieces and for the experience it has given me. Since 2019, I have been commissioned by The Banff Public Library to create mugs as gifts for authors, presenters, staff and board members. I appreciate who my work is being shared with and hope that those who receive it find value in the gift.
Mugs, plates and bowls made for the Banff Centre c.2012
“A market exchange has an equilibrium or stasis: you pay to balance the scale. But when you give a gift there is momentum, and the weight shifts from body to body.”
Banff Public Library mug. Thank you to the director for helping me recreate the logo with her cricut maker. I appreciate the collaboration and the support.