Ugly Art is the Best Art: Here’s Why
Have you ever looked at your art and thought: “This is terrible. It’s ugly. I can’t show this to anyone.”
Yeah, me too.
But, guess what? That “ugly” art might just be the best thing you’ve ever made.
Below, you’ll find a video where I’m talking about why that “ugly” art might just be the best thing you’ve ever made. You’ll also find these ideas expanded on and tailored for artivists in the text below.
Without further ado, let’s dive in!
Ugly Art Takes the Pressure Off
When you’re creating art, how much pressure do you feel to make it “perfect”? To make it something others find interesting and impactful? To clearly communicate your message and voice? It’s a lot, right? Especially for artists and creatives who create art for activism (AKA, artivism) and social change. Sometimes we can feel like a lot is riding on our art.
However, that pressure to make everything great or perfect or “just right” can freeze us. It can stop us from starting or lead us into overthinking every single decision.
But what if I told you that embracing ugly art (which includes “bad” art, if you like that description better) can actually free you from that pressure and blockage?
When you give yourself permission to make ugly art and art that doesn’t have to be “good”, you can let go of the expectations and control and just create. You’ll find it’s much easier to get into the flow and explore different styles, themes, and ideas.
Ugly art can actually allow you to create more freely and authentically.
Ugly Art Can Help You “Think Outside the Box”
When the pressure to create something “good” is off, that’s when creativity really starts to kick in.
Without the constraints of your art needing to be perfect, your creative essence can go wild. You’re free to experiment with bold ideas that might not have seemed possible before. Maybe you try weird textures, unexpected color stories, or odd brushstrokes, things you never would have dared to try if you were concerned about making “good” art.
That’s when the magic happens. You’re not just thinking inside the box, you’re throwing the box away. You might even create something completely new and exciting, something that could never have come from a place of perfectionism.
Perhaps you realize you can show your subject matter differently. Perhaps you can give a different perspective on a social injustice you want to highlight in your work. Perhaps you realize your message is better expressed through a different medium.
There are so many amazing things you can do when the destructive pressure of perfectionism is off.
Ugly Art Helps You Learn What You Don’t Like
Making ugly art isn’t just about experimenting with what works, however, it’s also about learning what doesn’t work for you and discovering what you don’t like.
The more you create, the more you’ll start to realize what you’re drawn to and what doesn’t resonate with you. Maybe you thought you’d love a certain color palette, only to find that it feels dull or uninspiring. Perhaps you thought you liked a particular style or vibe, only to realize it doesn’t feel right for you or the message you want to communicate.
This is huge. Knowing what you don’t like is just as important as knowing what you do like. And guess what? All of that “ugly” art helps you narrow down what truly inspires you, which makes your future art even better (as in, something that’s more and more authentic to you and the message you want to communicate).
Ugly Art Helps You Develop Your Style and Voice
When you make ugly art, you’re free to try things without worrying about whether they’ll turn out “right”. It’s an explorational and experimental practice.
Over time, patterns start to emerge. Maybe you find that you love certain brushstrokes or textures, or you’re always drawn to a particular color palette. Maybe you realize you like to write fiction rather than poetry, or a specific genre over another. Maybe you notice that you’re drawn to a specific theme or subject matter. Those patterns are key to discovering your own style.
The more you create, the more you will uncover your personal style and voice as it naturally emerges. And I promise, it won’t come from trying to be perfect. It’ll come from experimentation, play, and embracing the mess.
Ugly Art Teaches You to Let Go of Perfectionism
Perfectionism can be one of the biggest creativity blockers and self-sabotaging tendencies. It makes you second-guess yourself, stops you from taking risks, and even prevents you from finishing your work.
Embracing ugly art, however, is one way to deal with perfectionism. Intentionally creating “imperfect” work can help you become more comfortable with imperfection and reduce fears like the fear of failure or the fear of being criticized.
If you know you’re having a really hard time struggling with perfectionism, one way to deal with it is to practice self-forgiveness when the results are not up to the standard you aim for or expect of yourself. Self-forgiveness is an important part of having a consistent creative practice in the first place.
Just imagine what it would look like if you could let go of the perfectionism and create art with confidence.
Embracing ugly art will help you stop worrying about whether your art is “good enough” and start focusing on the process instead of the result. That’s when you’ll feel the weight of perfectionism lift off your shoulders. You’ll create more freely, have more fun, and (funnily enough) your work will improve.
Ugly Art Can Lead You to Something Unexpected and Exciting
Sometimes, when you’re trying to create something “good,” you force yourself into a certain mold. You start sticking to what you know, to what’s familiar, and take a step back from the creative risks that could push you to develop further as an artist.
The practice of making ugly art breaks you out of that pattern. It allows you to take risks and try new things without worrying about the outcome.
That’s usually when the unexpected happens. You might stumble upon a technique, a theme, or a style that excites you, something that could completely change your approach to your own art. Perhaps it helps you start making art that feels more aligned with your values and your message.
By embracing the ugliness and the mess, you open the door to endless possibilities. That’s the beauty of ugly art: it’s a gateway to discovering something new and exciting about your work.
Final Words
The next time you feel frustrated with your art practice, remember that your art doesn’t have to be “perfect”. In fact, the uglier it is, the better it might be for your growth.
Permit yourself to make mistakes, to experiment, and to let go of perfectionism. You’ll be amazed at where that takes you over time.
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