Meet Joe, 26, a freelance art historian based in Yorkshire. Find out more about how they use Japanese in their role. Part of our Bitesize world of work series.
Joe specialises in Japanese art and so their ability to speak the language is invaluable, especially when putting together art exhibitions with Japanese artists. Joe also writes articles about East Asian artwork so their understanding of the language is a real asset, enabling deeper research.
I've never come across a downside to learning a language.
Joe:
My name is Joe and I'm an art historian.
私はジョーと申します。私の仕事は美術史家でございます。 - My name is Joe. I work as an art historian.
私の家族がイギリスでいるので、安心します。 - I feel secure in the UK because my family live here.
ふーん、そうですよね - Ah, that makes sense
I specialise in Japanese and Korean art history. I write articles about art and history. I also put together art exhibitions, working closely with artists to showcase their work.
Joe:
お久しぶり。 - Long time no see.
Joe’s colleague, Eren:
あー！ジョーさん、お久しぶりです。 - Ah! Joe, long time no see.
Joe:
こんにちは。 - Hi.
Joe’s colleague, Eren:
今日は。 - Hello.
Joe:
I mainly speak to English language people, so I use my Japanese language to translate things into English for them. Most art historians, when you get to a high level, are expected to know at least one second language because you're always looking at art work and artists, and trying to understand their world and how that influences what they create.
エレンさん、このギャラリーによく来ますか。 - Eren, do you come to this gallery often?
Joe’s colleague, Eren:
はい、よく来ます。 - Yes, I do.
Joe’s colleague, Eren:
Joe has such a deep understanding of not only culture, but language, and is my great friend.
今日の展示が楽しみですね。 - I am looking forward to today’s exhibition.
Joe:
私も楽しみ。 - I am also looking forward to it.
I love trying to be innovative. It's so exciting to try and meet with artists or put together exhibitions that provoke something and have a real energy.
私は木の葉がみえます。 - As for me, I see the leaves of a tree.
Joe’s colleague, Eren:
見え方,人それぞれですね。 - Everybody has their own perspective on it.
Joe:
そうですね。 - That’s true.
Being an art historian is not always easy. You get a lot of rejections when you're looking for your next project or pitching ideas.
Joe:
あの絵がどう思いますか。 - What do you think of that painting over there?
Joe’s colleague, Eren:
すごく面白いコンポジションだと思います。 - I think it has a really interesting composition.
Joe:
My career path hasn't exactly been traditional. I ended up going on an exchange to Japan when I was fifteen. I left school and I went to do an Art Foundation course and I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I was going to, so I switched to a joint degree in Japanese Language and History of Art, which was a much better fit for me.
After university, I started running art tours out in Japan, so I got to take people out there and show them all the things that had inspired me, and then I slowly built up my portfolio of work as an art historian. Working as a freelancer, obviously it can be very difficult because you've really got to fight for those opportunities, but I think that that can keep you on your toes and keep you sharp.
Whether you're learning languages or doing art history, you need to make it your own. Investigate your own way. Be curious about everything.
強い金色が見えます。 - You can see a strong yellow colour.
When I was younger, I wish I had known not to be embarrassed about speaking foreign languages, because we all respect it so much when people are putting effort into communicating with us, so just relax, use what you know and don't be scared.
I've never come across a downside to learning a language at all. Be adventurous. You never know where your career might take you.
- The main skills Joe uses as a freelance art historian include the ability to use their initiative, pay close attention to detail and work well with others
- After leaving school, Joe did an Art Foundation course but soon realised it wasn't for them so switched to doing a joint degree in Japanese Language and History of Art at university
- After university, Joe went to Japan to run art tours and practise using the language, before coming back to the UK to build a portfolio of work as an art historian
- Joe developed their Japanese language skills by immersing themself in the culture and learnt not to be embarrassed by speaking a foreign language. They discovered that people deeply respect it when others make an effort to communicate in their mother tongue
- Joe mainly speaks to English-speaking people so their ability to speak Japanese means they can translate for them when dealing with clients from Japan
- Joe says most art historians are expected to know a second language, as you spend a lot of time looking at international artists and trying to gain a deeper insight into their world, in order to know how that influences what they create.
Top tips
- Working as a freelancer can be difficult when it comes to securing work opportunities but it can also keep you sharp and on your toes, which makes it exciting too
- Be curious about everything and find out what works for you. You don't know where your career may take you
- When it comes to speaking another language, just relax, use what you know and don't be scared
- Surround yourself with people who really believe in what you're trying to achieve, as that makes the whole experience even more enjoyable.
An art historian can also be known as an art gallery curator. Museum and art gallery curators manage collections of objects of artistic, scientific, historical and general interest.
What to expect if you want to be a museum curator
- Museum curator salary: £25,000 to £43,000 per year
- Museum curator salary typical working hours: 38 to 42 hours per week
What qualifications do you need to be a museum curator?
You could get into this role via an apprenticeship, a university course or working towards this role.
Sources: National Careers Service
This information is a guide and is constantly changing. Please check the National Careers Service website for the latest information and all the qualifications needed.
For careers advice in all parts of the UK visit: National Careers Service (England), nidirect (Northern Ireland), My World of Work (Scotland) and Careers Wales (Wales).
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