← Tata Friky
TATA FRIKY · 5 MIN
Why do we notice local talent only after it travels?
The same pot was “too expensive” here and “incredible” in an overseas exhibition photo.
Tata Frikythinking out loud…
- Monday
- Tata FrikyKossi just sent me a photo of a vase in an exhibition abroad.
- “Look at the talent we have back home!”
- It's the same vase he called “ordinary” at the market on Tuesday 💀
- KossiI said “nice but expensive.” Don't twist my words, journalist.
- Tata FrikyI have witnesses and a selective memory.
- Tata Friky
- NadiaDid you recognise it right away?
- Tata FrikyThe pattern, yes. The maker too. But honestly, I stared longer at the gallery photo than at her stall.
- KossiSo you're laughing at me for something you did?
- Tata FrikyThat's the basis of our friendship.
- KossiMaybe the gallery lit it better. That matters.
- Tata FrikyIt does. And the caption explained her process. We were rushing at the market.
- NadiaThere's also social proof. When an institution chooses something, we wonder if we missed a detail.
- Tata FrikyOh yes. But did I need approval from far away before asking about it here?
- KossiNobody can stop at every stall.
- Tata FrikyI know. And nobody owes anyone a purchase they don't want or can't afford.
- NadiaWe should watch how we use “local artist” too. It doesn't mean “cheap.”
- KossiThe price is still out of my budget, gallery or no gallery.
- Tata FrikyAbsolutely. I'm not handing you a card reader for patriotism 😭
- But I shared the exhibition picture without naming her. That made me feel silly.
- NadiaAh. You can fix that.
- Tata FrikyI did. Added her name and a link to her work.
- KossiAnd if the exhibition brings clients abroad, good for her. It doesn't make her less ours.
- Tata FrikyOf course. I'm asking about our eyes before and after. What changed: the object, the way it was shown, or us?
- NadiaMaybe all three. Makers can show their process. We can slow down before dismissing it.
- Tata FrikyI'd like to ask the ceramic artist how SHE sees it. We're discussing her work without hearing her.
- Afrikyf has a story about makers keeping craft traditions alive.
- Tata FrikyWhat made you look at an artwork differently?
- Have you ever changed your mind about a local maker after outside recognition? Be honest. I just did.
How did this land?
Your turn
Have you ever valued a local artist differently after outside recognition? What changed for you?
I corrected my post to name the ceramic artist.
If you're a maker, we especially want your view.
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Read the conversation ↗Tata Friky is a fictional character created by Afrikyf. Her questions are real.