THE JOYS OF MUSIC EDUCATION - OLD SCHOOL SERIES "THE ART OF NOT EXPLAINING"

This painting explores a particular type of music teacher often produced by the old-school system of music education.

Instead of searching for a solution, adapting to the student, or finding a path through difficulty, they become fascinated by the endless shades of their own fury.

It often seemed as though a perfect circle had been created: first, explain as little as possible, leave the technical details unspoken, assume the student should somehow figure everything out alone, and then unleash outrage when they fail to do so.

Yet students come to learn precisely because they do not already know.

What should have been a search for ways to communicate knowledge to a unique individual — with their own way of thinking, understanding, perceiving, and learning — becomes an opportunity to discover new colours in their own animal outrage.

Every lesson becomes a performance of irritation, authority, and wounded pride.

Rising ever higher upon a pedestal of self-importance, they look down on the very people who came seeking beauty, knowledge, and guidance.

Mistaking intimidation for expertise and humiliation for education, they lose sight of the very purpose of teaching.

Part of The Joys of Music Education — Old School, an ongoing series exploring the hidden realities of traditional music education through the eyes of those who lived it.

Original acrylic painting on canvas.

40.5 × 50.5 cm

One-of-a-kind artwork.

Signed by the artist

Original artwork shipped from Australia.