Photo: Anthony Anex
My partner’s taste is minimalist, whereas I’m more of an, err, maximalist. We’re about to move in together for the first time. How do we make this work?
Dear ‘Maximalist’,
You both must accept that the other has their ‘tics’. When I first moved in with my partner, I got agitated about how many shoes he owned. When I complained about it to my mother, she cut me off and said: ‘Stay still and don’t complain about such things, you also have your tics.’ Her advice has resonated ever since and keeps me safe and tolerant.
A practical tip is to each purchase a basket in a thrift store, into which you throw anything lying around in the defined common area. I am afraid your collections must be in your room, unless you can convince your partner of your maximalism with a clever and beautiful display concept in the common rooms. If you have two or fewer common rooms, define who has the lead in which by lottery.
Pipi
At my work we have an annual Halloween costume competition. Last year’s winner is also my crush, and I’d love to impress them this year. What’s a truly terrifying costume for Halloween 2024?
Dear ‘Dress to distress’,
Go naked with blood red body paint all over. You might want to apply cream to your body first so that the paint is easier to wash off again.
Pipi
I have been painting as a second career for ten years and, as time goes on, I am accumulating a lot of paintings! I paint more pictures than I sell. What should I do with them?
Dear ‘Career artist’,
I kindly suggest you find a furniture shop that you like, and that likes your work, and offer them your paintings to display in their showroom. They may offer them to the interested clients on a free trial basis. If your paintings speaks to the soul, body and heart, I am confident that they will want to keep your work. When they decide to keep it, they pay the shop, which then splits the proceeds with you.
Or you could organise a pop-up exhibition at your aunt or uncle’s place. Or a pop-up show at a rented spot – possibly with other artists.
Pipi
As an artist, I sometimes worry my chosen path is a little selfish or inward-looking. Can art really change the world?
Dear ‘Worldly worrier’,
All work can change the world. A good teacher or a creative gardener can change the world. As an artist, you are proposing views of the world. Doing your work certainly changes you. It might change the world too, depending on whether your work resonates with others now or in the future. But if a wish to change the world is your most urgent one, then there are easier and less painful professions than being an artist.
Pipi
My parents don’t understand why I want to be an artist. Can I (and should I) convince them that it’s a valid life choice?
Dear ‘Parent pleaser’,
In the end it’s your decision, not your parents’.
You might want to refrain from sharing the following advice with them: I would recommend pursuing a proper profession alongside which you can do art. If art is your only hope of survival, it adds to the pressure or the danger of becoming opportunistic. I suggest learning a craft that helps you in your art, like weaving, gardening or coding.
I was over 37 when I could survive (and pay my rent) from my art practice. I have never aimed for it, and have a theory that, because I didn’t press too much, I kept doing things that weren’t commercial, and got better and more precise at my art. During that time, I worked part-time as a graphic designer, and produced teaching films covering various topics, for instance, the ultra-pasteurisation of milk. It was helpful to see how the ‘professional mud’, as I call it, works.
Pipi
Every day my five-year-old comes home from school with a new work of art made from recycled household materials. I love that she is exploring her creativity and can find beauty in old food packages, but this habit is taking up a lot of room... What shall we do with them?
Dear ‘Reduce, reuse, recycle’,
Hang them from the ceiling with thin thread. Some years later, when they are covered in too much dust, burn them. Do this together with your then-older kids.
Pipi
Do you have a problem only Pipi can solve? Submit your question to tate.etc@tate.org.uk for your chance to be featured in the next issue.
Pipilotti Rist’s film Lungenflügel 2009 is currently on display at Tate Modern in the display Performer and Participant.
