Image copyright: J Hardy Carroll
Being an outsider artist isn’t always easy.
At first Ned’s latest urinal installation, Telephone – Yellow, didn’t attract positive write-ups, certainly not in the magazines that count. But he persisted.
Later an agent started working for him and, despite Ned’s low (invisible) profile, the curators began paying attention.
After a protracted bidding war between MOMA and the Getty, a deal was done, and the piece was duly installed in a place of pride.
Trouble was when Ned tried to call up about his money, he found his phone had been ripped from the wall.
Being a stupid artist isn’t always easy.
Written for Rochelle Wisoff-Fields’ weekly 100 word challenge found here.
patrickprinsloo 
Enjoyable whimsy. Liked the way you brought it full circle.
Thank you.
Great use of repetition by you – last line reflecting the first. Less great repetition by Ned copying Duchamp. At least Duchamp bought his own urinal to sign.
I’m pleased somebody has mentioned Duchamp – he was at the back of my mind. I think he fared better than will my poor Ned.
Indeed he did. And happy to be on the right wavelength – I’m so often not.
Haha…I can see this.
You have a good eye.
You get a gold star for making me laugh 🙂
Thanks. Prefer money.
Quite humorous, Patrick. The sense of irony really sold the story. The doors got shut on the poor guy pretty hard, I imagine. Like the old theater saying goes, “The play’s the thing if ducats ring.” 😀
Thanks. I imagine he’ll cope somehow. Love the quote.
Oops! It ain’t easy at all to be an artist, let alone a stupid one. Very witty take, PP. Well done.
It’s a tough world in the studio.
Now I know why all the local phones have disappeared, your artist friend was practicing his art.
He sends his apologies.
Yeah, not everyone appreciate unique and innovative. 😏
The rubbish dumps of the world are overflowing with unrecognised works of art. Such a ;loss to society.
This is fun. I wonder what else he’s used to create art that he might have actually needed.
There was that motor car installation a year or so back. He couldn’t get to the opening because the buses didn’t go that way.
ha! 🙂
Ripping the urinal off the wall…yuk (assuming it was functional as well as artistic).
I think it was the phone that was ripped off the wall, but maybe not. I just can’t be bothered to reread the piece.
I DID reread it and I understand your comment. Too much trouble to rework the piece, though.
The art installation was a great idea and he wouldn’t be the first artist who has sacrificed practicality for art. Nature of the beast.
xx Rowena
So true. So many of the greats were strange creatures.
It’s the tiles. They really are toilet tiles. Very perceptive and witty 🙂
It’s the tiles. A giveaway I reckon.
🙂
Very witty, Patrick. I’m trying to find a suitable witty response but I keep getting an engaged tone…
You need to put some coins in the slot!
I can see this as an art installation, and it would belong in the toilet! Good fun Patrick.
Thanks.
A urinal was the first thing that sprang to my mind too. 🙂 Good one.
Those tiles!
Dear Patrick,
A telephone urinal? Now that fires the imagination. Fun story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
…He shouldn’t get bogged down with such concerns!
You’re right, of course.
Huge fun, Patrick
Thanks.