Why Ugly Art Matters (More Than You Think)
I’ve said it before, and I will say it again: Making ugly art is actually very rewarding.
It’s rewarding because testing something new, experimenting, and playing can be the foundation for creative breakthroughs and work wonders for your creativity.
That’s why, in this post, you’ll find a video where I’m talking about why ugly art matters. You’ll also find these ideas expanded on and tailored for artivists in the text below.
Without further ado, let’s dive in!
Quality Comes From Quantity
Ugly art matters more than you think, especially since quality comes from quantity.
Have you ever noticed that you need to make several pieces in your sketchbook before you create one you really like? And have you ever noticed that the one you really like was created because you’d gotten the previous ones out of your system first?
I’ve noticed that in every single one of my creative disciplines or hobbies, and it didn’t matter if I just made something for fun or if it ended up being a part of my artivism practice.
My personal experience looks something like this:
Sometimes I need to create 10 sketches in my sketchbooks to create one I like.
Sometimes I’ve had to write 15 drafts of the same poem before I felt like it was going somewhere better with it.
One time, I came home with 500 photos of flowers I’d taken that day, only to really like 5 of them.
That might sound harsh, but I would’ve been happy if I only liked 2 of the photos. Liking 5 of them was heaven for me.
But I wouldn’t have gotten to those 5 if I hadn’t taken the other 495 photos either.
Now, that might just reveal what a shitty photographer I am. But, this shitty photographer needed those 495 shitty photos to get those 5 I loved. I would do that again if I could get 5 more photos that I’d really love.
And I’m fine with that process, because I know that quality comes from quantity.
The only way to create something you’ll love is to allow yourself to create things you don’t.
Ugly Art Allows You the Space to Experiment More
Which brings me to my next point, which is that ugly art allows you the space to experiment more. I personally love this part of the process, the experimentation. Part of it is because I know that it doesn’t have to be good.
One of the biggest killers of creativity is perfectionism. When you put pressure on yourself to make something good every time, it keeps you in a confined space where your style and expression may stagnate instead of grow and develop.
Real growth, on the other hand, happens when you experiment, when you push your boundaries and step outside your comfort zone. Experimentation and exploration can help you stumble across interesting techniques that come out of the blue, or discover a deeper message you want to communicate, etc.
When you embrace ugly art, you give yourself permission to try things you might not otherwise try. It might be new color stories, weird textures, or different compositions.
It takes the pressure off. And suddenly, art becomes play again, which is something, I believe, a lot of artivists struggle with since we want our art to be meaningful, have a clear, concise, and powerful message, make a difference, etc. But, at the same time, it’s so vital, because that’s where real breakthroughs happen. The more you experiment, the more you discover new techniques, new ideas, and new ways of expressing yourself and your message.
And even better, that’s what leads you to making better art in the long run.
Ugly Art Helps You Build Creative Confidence
Part of that is because ugly art helps you build creative confidence.
One of the scariest things for any artist is showing their work. The fear of judgment, the fear of rejection, the fear of not being good enough, or not having a message that’s worth sharing.
But when you allow yourself to make ugly art, you may start to detach from that fear. You realize that your value as an artist isn’t tied to making something “perfect”. You start to enjoy the process instead of worrying about the outcome. You start to trust your instincts and skills more, and that confidence spills over into every piece you make.
Confidence doesn’t come from waiting until you’re “good enough” or when you’ve created something great. It comes from making a lot of art, which includes the ugly stuff.
Ugly Art Reconnects You With the Pure Joy of Creating
Above all, ugly art reconnects you with the pure joy of creating.
When you made art as a kid, did you worry about whether it was good? Probably not. You made things because it was fun. Because it was exciting. Because you were curious about something. Because it made you feel something.
As we grow, however, we start judging ourselves. We get caught up in expectations: our own, other people’s, social media’s. That’s when making art can start to feel stressful instead of freeing or impactful. That’s when you start overthinking every brushstroke, every word choice, every decision.
But when you give yourself permission to make ugly art, you break free from that pressure. You remember what it feels like to create just for the sake of creating, even if you want your art to make an impact.
You stop thinking, “How do I make this good?” and start asking, “What if I just let go and see what happens?”
That’s where the magic happens. That’s when making art becomes joyful again. That’s when you reconnect with the reason you started creating in the first place. That’s when you start creating art that can have a profound impact on your life as well as others’. That’s a big part of what artivism is all about.
Final Words
Ugly art is not a failure. It’s not a waste of time. It’s the foundation of many, many creative breakthroughs.
The next time you feel stuck or you’re afraid to make something that isn’t perfect, just make ugly art. Let it be messy. Let it be weird. Let it be something you don’t even like.
That’s how you grow. That’s how you evolve. And that’s how, eventually, you make something you’ll absolutely love and something that can have the impact you desire.
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