Essay by Luke Foster
Derivative definition
adjective
imitative of the work of another artist, writer, etc., and usually disapproved of for that reason.
I feel my drawing is terribly derivative not of other artists but repeating myself and not a new idea every drawing.
Ever since Yoshitomo Nara gave me a drawing in 2000 in a drawing swap when I worked at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney for the contemporary Japanese group show exhibition titled Neo-Tokyo, I have made it a pillar of art practise to give and do swaps with other artists. I have artworks mainly drawings from quite a few Australian artists as a result.
I have also given drawings to artists, actors, world leaders, friends, baristas, cleaners, bus drivers, hospital staff, doctors and even on buses to random strangers.
I sold that Nara drawing at auction in Sotheby’s in London last year and it helped me pay for my one-bedroom apartment.
That’s why I give my, art as even if my art isn’t financially valuable like a Nara, I remember how happy I was when he gave me a drawing I admired.
“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.”
Lao Tzu
If I really like someone, I make a book of drawings about them and send it to them. I did that quite a bit last year.
Sometimes I also give hand drawn t-shirts usually made with black sharpie pens on cheap white t-shirts.
