Altering Art

I need a little advice from you folks about this little piece of folk art I bought for my Mom 13 years ago.  Back when this type of angel first started popping up in home decorating magazines like Country Living, my Mom asked me to look for one for her, since I lived in Chicago and had more access to things like that.  I found this one in a gallery in Evanston and bought it for her for Christmas.  I paid a couple of hundred dollars for her-- a lot for me at the time-- probably a weeks take-home pay!  It is by a folk artist- CH (don't know his or her name)- and is titled "Hope."

My question is, now that she is mine, I was thinking of updating her with some embroidery or something on the dress.  I am a little tentative about doing this because I consider her to be a more authentic piece of folk art than the countless craft sale angels that followed.  What do you think?  I know that ultimately all that matters is what I want her to look like, but I don't want to do some sort of damage to her.  Is it OK to alter art-- even if it is just folk art?

Comments

[amandajean]

I think it would be ok to alter it. if you didn't like what you added in embroidery, you could always take it out. just a thought.

it's a beautiful piece.

[Netleigh]

You could make an overdress/apron with the embroidery so you weren't changing the original.

[string*THEORY]

ooh this is a really interesting question. i probably wouldn't touch it because i'm a (weird) purist like that. but if it's something that you think about everytime you look at...maybe you should - so its more beautiful and pleasing to you. what about altering it in a non-permanent way?

[samantha]

It is your piece, so I think you can alter it if you want to. Once you purchase some art, I think it is up to the owner what they do with it. I will be interested to see what you add.

[Sarah]

The museum girl in me cringes at the thought of altering her, and definitely likes the apron suggestion, or even the idea of making her an entirely new gown. The art history student in me says that artistic expression should be a conversation between the artist and the viewer, and so you are entitled to hold up your end of the conversation as you see fit.

[moki]

what a dilema! I think there's a lot you can do to alter her w/o damaging her...something removable like embroidery for instance. It's hard to say though, because sometimes we attach emotional things to our monetary things and then we have the issue your having. I imagine, if you go into it thinking she is a canvas and you're going to further beautify her, you wont have any problems. (?)

[Rebecca]

Art is for enjoyment, not for investment. If it doesn't speak to you, then it is less valuable to you. People have been altering other people's art for centuries, millenia even. So absolutely. Alter away. (Although there is no just folk art - it is no less of an art form than other mediums.)

[Anina]

I think that unless you think she is going to be worth a WHOLE lot of money in your lifetime unaltered, you can go ahead and make her prettier for yourself to enjoy.

[esther]

i think she is beautiful just as she is and it would be a shame to alter her - but then it's you that lives with her not me. I like the overdress suggestion someone has made - that way you don't run the risk of changing her and regretting it. Whether it is ok to alter art depends on so many factors - some artists would love it, others would pretty peeved. I don't think there's a straight answer to your dilemma unfortunately!

[Niki]

If it were me, I wouldn't alter her since I would want her to stay the way my mother had looked upon her. Particularly if my mother liked the angel the way she is today. On the other hand, I think you should be happy with her if she is going to hang on your wall. I like the overdress/apron idea. A little of what your mom saw, and a little of your own vision.

[Deepa]

"I know that ultimately all that matters is what I want her to look like..."

Is it really? Sorry, but this sounds a little self-centered to me. This work was sold with a title "Hope" and it was this artist's unique vision of that sentiment. I would take a step back and ask if altering it is in some way disrespectful of that vision.

You are a very creative person - I am sure you can find a way to display this piece with your own personal stamp of creativity without altering the piece itself.

Thanks for you generous posts.

[lynne]

She is so very similar to the angels that I used to make years ago with architectural pieces and antique linens. I would give her a skirt and a simple pinafore or apron made from old textiles...you could alter those with some embroidery or beading. Of course, she could have a sweet crown of vintage millinary flowers or a halo of some type. I look forward to seeing what you do with her!

[Frizz]

I thought giving her an apron and then embroider that too. You could change that seasonally if you wanted.

[Lei]

Gosh, I don't know... I have the same itnernal conflict over these sorts of things that you do. I inherited an antique vanity that I think is beautiful, but the color it has been stained is so not me. I really want to paint it black... I know I would never sell it, so ruining its value is not of utmost importance to me. Still, I can't seem to bring msyelf to do it, even if it means enjoying it more!

[suze]

In just looking at her, I'd immediately want to put color on her, except I'd go with a shawl rather than an apron. You can drape and reconfigure shawls, knit them, use whatever material(s) you want, embroider, etc.
Or place her against a different colored/patterned background.
Or use lights to surround her.

[Rachelle]

I like the idea f an apron, or something that is removable so you're not altering it permanantly.

[June]

I believe art is essentially dynamic thing and that each "piece of art" is a story that never stagnates but lives on in all its permutations as it connects with each person who handles, views or otherwise enjoys it. If you want to add, detract, alter or otherwise modify the doll, then it's my belief that you are adding to the story--and that, to me, is a positive. Follow your instincts is always the best tactic.

[laurie]

What a good question I'm probably reiteraing something someone else suggested but here's my two cents. Is it possible that you might change your mind in 5 or 10 years? Your tastes or color preferences may alter so maybe you should make the apron/overdress out of a fabric that is very light and perhaps even the same color. Then you can embellish it all you like and remove it later if you change your mind.

[kiandra Jimenez]

this is such a good discussion. i agree with one of the other posters who mentioned that art was to be enjoyed and not collected for investment, unless...you are a collector. a person who collects art as an investment. if not, i fell as the owner of the piece you have the right to do with it what you like. i would agree with the idea of doing something less permanent in case things change in the future. maybe your taste will change, maybe it will become an investment piece for you.
whatever your decision, it is a very beautiful piece of art.

[Caterine]

mmm. i think i wouldn't alter her but as said before i'ld make her some apron or smock or scarf ... we do this in brussels with our most famous boy ( http://www.ilotsacre.be/images/virtualvisit/manneken_pis.htm )
:)))

[Rachael Ramos]

Wow, what a great question - obviously I'm a little late to the game, but I think you should do with it as you please. Anything you add or take away will only add to the story of the piece. Things like the Antiques Roadshow has made so many people paranoid about "ruining" things. I don't care who made it, what it cost or what it will, art can be altered. I'm sure folks would be appalled if someone altered a Michelangelo or something, and no offence to the artist who made this angel, but it's not a Michelangelo.
I accidentally altered a piece made by a friend of mine, and was so afraid he's be upset - but it has added to the story of it, and every time I look at it, it has more meaning than before it was altered.
A meaningful alteration would add so much more!