Artists & Tall Poppy Syndrome
I’m sure this applies to artists of all levels, but I’ve read some online threads, usually by a seemingly new artist, or a younger person, that is unknowing dealing with a phenomenon colloquially called “Tall Poppy Syndrome.”
Perhaps you’ve shown your art to a friend or family member (or posted online!), only to have your work scrutinized or criticized without provocation. Maybe you’ve been completely ignored or dismissed by other artists within your circle.
Does this mean your art is “bad”? I wouldn’t be so quick to jump to that conclusion...
“Tall Poppy Syndrome” is a phenomenon where someone tries to hold others back, usually through criticism, sabotage, or alienation, because they perceive that other person to have achieved success in one or more aspects of life, thereby "cutting down the tall poppy” or “cutting you down to size.”
You don’t have to be a “professional” artist to experience this.
...Maybe you’re an amateur artist who is really applying yourself and seeing improvement, and that makes your friend jealous. So, they criticize anything they can find, and, since you’re not a professional, there’s still a lot to you haven’t got around to improving yet, and your friend points out those shortcomings.
...Maybe you’ve really been going hard at learning perspective and post your piece online. An another online user has struggled with this and reacts by leaving a negative comment. You feel discouraged from posting online now.
...Maybe you’ve sought out art communities and, while you feel that your art is on a similar level with those around you, find that you’re ignored or excluded by one particular person and, by extension, their friends.
It’s important to try to understand the motivations of people you interact with, especially the people who provide unsolicited criticism about your work. This type of criticism is generally not given for your benefit, but to make themselves feel better or to position themselves as experts at your expense.
Only the artist understands their own goals. Many artists are already aware of the gap between their current skill and their desired skill. Don’t allow someone who hasn’t worked for your achievements, however small, devalue your achievements for the crime of falling short of perfection.
People with healthy self-esteem and self-confidence will, at worse, ignore art they don’t like or, at best, provide encouragement.
I hope knowing about Tall Poppy Syndrome provides some much-needed insight to artists who might not be getting the reactions they expect. Unsolicited criticism is not about you, your art, or how "good” it is.
Remember: No statue was ever erected to honor a critic.
