Magnus Resch is an internationally renowned artist and sculptor based in Berlin, whose work explores the intersection of art and technology. Having exhibited in major galleries and museums around the world, Resch has over 20 years of experience navigating the contemporary art market.
In addition to his own artistic practice, Resch is passionate about mentoring emerging artists. He has taken numerous young artists under his wing over the years, providing guidance and wisdom gained from his own career. Resch understands the challenges and opportunities faced by artists just starting out, and wants to help set them on the path to success.
In this guide, Resch shares the key lessons and insights he imparts to mentees. He covers finding the right mentor, building a strong relationship, receiving constructive feedback, collaborating on projects, navigating the art world and market, getting exposure, accessing resources, maintaining the relationship over time, and paying mentorship forward. Aspiring artists will gain invaluable advice to help launch and grow their careers with the help of an experienced mentor.
Finding a Mentor
Finding the right mentor can be critical to an emerging artist’s success and growth. As you launch your artistic career, seek out mentors who can provide guidance, support, and connections.
Where to Find Prospective Mentors
– Educational institutions – Connect with former professors or alumni in your field who can continue to mentor you after graduation. Many art schools and universities have formal alumni mentorship programs.
– Professional associations and networks – Join relevant organizations or online communities to connect and network with established artists. Attend conferences, workshops, or social events to meet potential mentors.
– Galleries and museums – Build relationships with curators, directors, and accomplished artists you admire who work with major arts institutions. Volunteer or seek employment to make connections.
– Social media – Follow prominent artists online and engage with their work. Politely reach out to request a studio visit or portfolio review.
– Local art scene – Immerse yourself in the creative community near you. Attend exhibitions, studio tours, classes, etc. Introduce yourself to artists you aspire to learn from.
Choosing a Good Mentor
Look for mentors who:
– Have succeeded in the same field or medium as you. Learn from their career path and creative network.
– Take time to listen to your goals and provide thoughtful guidance. Find someone invested in your growth.
– Offer honest, constructive feedback to improve your work. Avoid flattery; seek critical evaluation.
– Connect you with resources, opportunities, and contacts. Ask about their willingness to open doors.
– Have strong communication skills and maintain professionalism. Personality fit is also important.
– Give advice tailored to your unique vision and needs as an artist. Avoid rigid perspectives.
Questions to Ask Prospective Mentors
– How do you approach mentoring emerging artists? What is your mentoring style?
– Do you have availability to meet or speak regularly for mentor sessions? How often?
– What career or creative guidance can you offer based on your background and expertise?
– Can you review my portfolio and provide feedback to help me improve?
– Are you willing to make introductions or share opportunities that may advance my artistic career?
– What learning resources, networks, or people could you connect me with?
– May I observe your studio practice or artistic process to learn techniques?
– Do you attend or participate in events where you could bring me along?
– Would you be open to collaborating on a project together?
Asking thoughtful questions and finding the right fit will help ensure a mentee-mentor relationship that encourages growth, learning, and professional development on the artistic path.
Building a Relationship
A mentoring relationship is built on mutual trust, respect, and rapport. Here are some tips for developing a strong connection with your mentor:
– Be clear about your goals and expectations for the relationship. Discuss how often you’d like to meet or check in, the areas you’d like their guidance on, and what you hope to gain from working together.
– Show commitment by being responsive, punctual, and engaged during your interactions. Your mentor is volunteering their time and wisdom, so demonstrate that you appreciate it.
– Listen attentively when they provide feedback. Ask thoughtful follow-up questions to gain deeper insights. Avoid being defensive; focus on understanding their perspective.
– Recognize when they offer you opportunities or connections. Express sincere gratitude for their support in advancing your career.
– Share your work and progress regularly. Be open to constructive criticism. Use their feedback to improve your skills.
– Have humility. While you may respect their achievements, interact as equals. Don’t put them on a pedestal.
– Be trustworthy with confidential information they may share with you. Respect their privacy.
– Avoid overstepping the relationship bounds. While a mentorship goes beyond a purely transactional interaction, don’t over-rely on their time or generosity.
– Periodically check-in to re-calibrate expectations. Make sure you are both still comfortable with the relationship dynamic and pace.
Developing rapport and trust with a mentor is key. By being mindful of their time and needs while showing commitment to growth, you can build a relationship that supports your artistic development.
Receiving Feedback
Receiving feedback from a mentor can be incredibly valuable for an artist’s development. However, not all feedback is created equal. As the mentee, you must learn to parse the feedback and determine what is most relevant and applicable to your growth.
Mindset is critical when receiving critique. You must approach each feedback session with openness, humility, and the desire to learn. Check your ego at the door. The feedback is not a personal attack but rather an opportunity to improve.
When receiving notes, first listen attentively without interrupting. Let your mentor share all their observations before responding. Take notes so you can review the feedback again later with fresh eyes.
Next, reflect carefully on the critique. Do not agree or disagree immediately. Sit with the notes and analyze them over time. Determine which resonate as insightful and which seem off-base. Feedback can be subjective, so you must decide what works for your creative vision.
For resonant notes, ask yourself: What was the intent behind this feedback? Your mentor likely noticed an area where you can grow and wants to guide your artistic evolution. Prioritize implementing the suggestions aligned with your goals.
For any feedback you disregard, communicate graciously with your mentor. Explain your reasoning while affirming their time and effort. A diversity of perspectives is healthy, as long as dialog remains respectful.
Remember, harsh feedback is sometimes necessary medicine. The path of mastery inevitably involves growing pains. Stay open and keep working to sharpen your craft. The reward will be having access to your full potential as an artist.
Collaboration Opportunities
A mentor can be invaluable in helping an artist find the right collaborations at the right time. As an established figure in the art world, a mentor likely has many connections that a developing artist may lack. A mentor can facilitate introductions to galleries, curators, collectors, and other artists that can lead to fruitful partnerships and joint projects.
When starting out, it’s best not to be overly pushy in asking for collaborations but to let them develop naturally through your relationship. As you prove your dedication and talent, your mentor may start proposing ideas and making introductions. It’s important to be receptive to these openings while also exercising discretion – not every collaboration will be a good fit. Discuss options thoroughly with your mentor to determine if a project aligns with your skills, values, and career objectives.
An artist-mentor relationship is built on trust, so make the most of access to your mentor’s network by being responsible and professional. Represent yourself and your mentor well by doing your best work. Follow through on commitments and meet deadlines. Be gracious to those who have helped you. Share credit with collaborators and acknowledge your mentor’s role in facilitating projects.
Mentor relationships provide invaluable networking opportunities. But just as crucial is to gradually build your own connections. Attend openings and events. Talk with others in the field. Gain visibility for your work. Now that you have a foot in the door, keep widening it through your reliability, talent and vision. With an expanding network and your mentor’s guidance, you’ll gain access to more fulfilling collaborations to further your artistic career.
Navigating the Art World
For any artist, navigating the art world can be daunting. You’re putting your soul out there to be judged and criticized. Having a mentor who has been down that road before can provide invaluable guidance.
Magnus stresses the importance of focusing on your own vision and voice first. Don’t get sidetracked trying to please critics or fit into the latest fads. Find what excites you and pursue that fully. At the same time, remain open to feedback from those you trust. Filter critiques through your own artistic sensibilities.
There will inevitably be rejection and setbacks. Magnus advises viewing these as opportunities for growth. Each “failure” teaches you something that will make your work stronger. Learn to handle criticism with grace. Let it roll off your back and mine it for any kernels of truth.
Competition can be stimulating, but avoid comparing yourself to others. Run your own race at your own pace. Success comes in many forms. Define it for yourself based on your goals and values. Keep perspective through ups and downs.
With a mentor’s wisdom guiding you, have faith in your talents and keep working to master your craft. The path won’t always be smooth, but you have what it takes for an artistic life of meaning and fulfillment.
Getting Exposure
Having a mentor can be invaluable for helping artists gain more exposure for their work. An experienced mentor likely has a much wider network and audience than an emerging artist. They can utilize their connections and influence to showcase an artist’s work to new audiences. This visibility can lead to important opportunities like exhibitions, commissions, press coverage and more.
Some key ways a mentor can boost an artist’s exposure include:
– Featuring their work on the mentor’s website or social media. Even a simple post can reach the mentor’s existing followers.
– Connecting them with galleries, curators, collectors and others in the art world who may be interested in their work. A mentor’s recommendation carries weight.
– Writing articles or giving interviews that highlight the artist and their work. The validation from an established figure brings credibility.
– Inviting them to participate in shows or projects the mentor is involved in. These are chances to exhibit work in respected spaces.
– Introducing them to their network at events and openings. Face-to-face meetings can lead to future opportunities.
– Helping devise an effective promotion strategy and offering advice on marketing one’s practice. Their expertise can inform impactful plans.
To make the most of a mentor’s help with exposure, artists should proactively share new work and developments. Building an engaged support base takes consistent effort. Mentors give access and validation, but the artist must also bring creativity and commitment to promoting themselves effectively over time. It’s an ongoing collaboration aimed at elevating the artist’s visibility.
Paying it Forward: Becoming a Mentor to Others
After achieving your own artistic success, it can be incredibly rewarding to pay it forward by mentoring emerging artists yourself. As someone who has navigated the challenges of the art world, you’re in a unique position to provide guidance to up-and-coming artists.
Being a mentor allows you to share your knowledge and experience to help set others up for success. You can provide invaluable advice on building a career, avoiding common pitfalls, and making industry connections. Your mentorship gives artists just starting out a leg up as they establish themselves.
To be an effective mentor, listen to your mentees and get to know their goals and strengths. Tailor your advice to their needs and aspirations. Share constructive feedback to push their artistic development while also providing encouragement. Open doors by making introductions or giving recommendations.
Set clear expectations and boundaries for the mentorship relationship. Meet regularly to build trust and rapport. Lead by example in how you conduct yourself professionally. Be generous with your time and support. Avoid overpromising things beyond your control.
The artists you mentor will look to you as a model of integrity. Always act in their best interest, not your own. Champion their work and celebrate their wins. The guidance you provide early on can profoundly shape their careers and lives. Remember the mentors who helped you, and pay that support forward. Being a mentor allows you to leave a meaningful artistic legacy.
