Agony Artist: Dear Mx Mavis

How do I stay motivated in my artistic practice? I don’t want to get artist burnout!

Dear ‘Afraid of Burnout’,

All artists experience highs and lows in their work, but this doesn’t always equate to burnout. Burnout may result from working nonstop without taking time for solitude and self-care. It could also arise from boredom and a refusal to let your practice lead you where it wants to go. I would advise you to slow down, work at a speed that suits you, and prioritise quality over quantity. Think foreplay, not a quick shag.

That said, I don’t think burnout is always a bad thing. Emotionally, yes, it might be draining, but sometimes it can lead to new and exciting opportunities. It might even offer a rare chance to reconsider your identity as an artist and revaluate your future goals.

^{Mx Mavis}

I want to ‘make it’ as an artist, but I’m an introvert and find the networking/ self-promotion aspect exhausting. Is there a way to be an artist and avoid this?

Dear ‘Introvert’,

As an introvert myself, I can relate to this. Being an introvert shouldn’t be seen as a negative. You just need to play to your strengths. You can be an introvert and still be a successful artist. Don’t be fooled by those artists who you think are extroverted. It doesn’t mean that they are any more confident. Many extroverts have created a public persona to protect their private sensitivities.

I would suggest the following: have a great online presence (social media could work to your advantage as you don’t have to meet people face to face) or try attending events that speak to you as an artist, and to your goals and values.

You could even try what I do: create a fabulous alter ego for yourself and then go into spaces where you might usually feel uncomfortable. See what happens!

^{Mx Mavis}

I’m getting major FOMO from wanting to see all the possible exhibitions on in London. Do I need to go to them all?

Dear ‘FOMO’,

Oh dear, you should already know it is humanly impossible to see all the exhibitions in London... And in any case, I think you should try and take pleasure in missing out.

Let’s say, in the unlikely event that you spend considerable time seeing all the possible exhibitions
in London, when would you have time to make work, research, spend quality time with friends and lovers, read a book, go for long walks in the park, practice self-care?

You should just limit yourself to seeing no more than two shows per week – and try going with friends. I think the fear of missing out at this moment is highly intensified due to the impact of social media and our networked culture. There is a wonderful little book that I read a few years ago called The Joy of Missing Out by Debbi Marco. It might help you.

^{Mx Mavis}

I’ve just graduated from a fine art degree, and I’m worried about my future. Do you think AI is a threat to artists?

Dear ‘Is AI a Threat’,

First of all, congratulations on your graduation.
In my opinion, it depends on how AI is used, by

whom and for what purposes. In and of itself, AI isn’t simply good or bad. New technolog y will always push creativity and ideas into uncharted territories, be it methods of making art, ethics, politics or philosophy – and this is exciting. Think: at the birth of photography, people said that painting was dead, but this has proven to be false. AI is already asking questions of artistic practice and creativity that could not have been asked even five years ago.

For the most part, though, the only AI that I’m interested in is the AI used in apps to make me look fabulous and flawless...

^{Mx Mavis}

^{Do you have a problem that only Mx Mavis can solve? Send us an email at tate.etc@tate.org.uk}

^{Mx Mavis is Ajamu X, an artist, curator, archivist and activist who lives in London. Sometimes referred to as the Patron Saint of Darkrooms, he became an honorary fellow of the Royal Photographic Society in 2022.}