A digital artist who goes by the name Asia Ladowska on Facebook is getting the brunt of online backlash for posting her take on “artists making up excuses about doing art,” which was construed largely as “flexing her privilege.”
The artist’s original post, which, as of this writing, has now been edited to hide the original caption, gives the impression that artists who make excuses about doing art should not do art.
This clearly backfired and left a lot of people online feeling upset. A comic book artist, Dylan R. Fagan, pointed out that Asia Ladowska’s situation, where she is able to create art while sitting comfortably inside her vehicle or during personal downtime, is not applicable for everyone.
Ladowski fired back by saying she loves the drama and how triggered everyone is by her take.
People expressed their disappointment at the artist’s original message.
One user wrote, “It’s easy when you’re privileged enough to have safe public spaces where you can be with your expensive items, for example, and when you don’t have to care about a lot of other human problems that people without your stability actually do have. Your experience may be empowering to some but it isn’t universal. Please acknowledge your privilege before talking stuff like this.”
Another user wrote, “It’s not excuses, we have responsibilities. Toxic positivity coming from a privileged person ”
One user who commented on Fagan’s post shared their frustration at Ladowski’s “patronizing” take.”Her post is patronizing to hell and back. ‘Still using excuses that you don’t have time to draw,’ ‘shaky American roads,’ ‘waiting for doctor’s appointment,’ ‘hanging out with friends,’ ‘in bed, in my dreams.’ Are these supposed to be inspirational? Nope, it just screams first world to me. Sure, lucky you, having the extra time to draw, and the financial means for an expensive portable tablet and a great art software, while you don’t have to drive on shaky roads and worry about the conditions of your suspensions and tires, while you can afford to meet a doctor in a comfortable seat in a nice, fancy clinic, and have a warm bed to rest on while you draw away. Of course, I shouldn’t make silly excuses like having a 9-to-5 job, having old, 20-year old devices to utilize to draw, having other more important matters to attend to like providing food for my family and paying bills and God forbid, being the driver of the only car my family has…nope, no such excuses to not draw, right? How inspiring. Much wow.”One user who greatly opposed the artist’s idea wrote, “I’m losing respect. That does not sound inspiring at all. Not every person is fortunate enough to draw everywhere, to have a private car like you do. They have to work hard to survive and yet you call it excuses. Maybe you’re just trying to inspire people in continuing making art but the way you are telling others just aren’t right at all. Keep that privileged mindset of yours to yourself. Let’s see if you could continue drawing even on the worst condition.”
As negative comments gathered momentum on her page, Ladowski eventually clarified the situation and wrote an apology.
The post wrote, “I am sorry if you felt offended by my post. I never meant any harm. I worked really hard for everything I have and I still have my struggles. I can’t possibly know what everyone on earth is going through and whatever it may be, I am sorry for you. Hope you stay strong and keep fighting. I will limit comments because of the unacceptable racially charged terms and offenses some people think are ok to post online to another human being. They are not ok. Please respect one another 🙏 Share your art and encourage each other instead 💗.”
As of this writing, Asia Ladowski has limited commenting on her original post.
Update:
Asia Ladowski has posted another Facebook entry, reiterating her sincere apology and her intention to make up for the issue by giving away 10 physical art bundles, through a set of mechanics.
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