I am having a rather embarrassing problem with some of my local colleagues in the visual arts. That problem is a general enmity and competitiveness when it comes to grants and exhibitions. I have always taken a “win some, lose some” approach to my own art career and have always applied this sentiment to the failures and successes of my peers. Lately, however, I have noticed that as I move up the food chain, as it were, many of the people I have known for a long time are now taking a much nastier tack with me, making underhanded digs at my decision making or being sure to insert a subtle insult along with their congratulations. I also notice that new artists that I meet at this same level act the same toward me, being generally snotty and backstabbing. Is this just a necessary evil of being an up-and-coming artist? Is there an end to it? Do blue chip artists have to deal with the petty insecurities of their peers or does everyone just get along past a certain point?

Dimitri Kozyrev. Last One 16, 2012; acrylic on canvas; 84 x 72 in.

I wonder why you’re embarrassed by this problem when the poor behavior is coming from your colleagues and not from you. It seems that if anyone should be embarrassed, it’s them—after all, who hasn’t felt a little green-eyed when faced with the news of a competitor’s good fortune, even if that competitor is a friend—but they should have the good sense to offer their best wishes and leave it at that. Sulking is best done at home where no one can see your frowny little face.

It’s true that the competition model breeds insecurity. When 300 artists apply for one $10,000 grant, that leaves 299 disappointed, and everyone expresses disappointment in their own way. A few can shrug it off, as you seem to do, and others grow embittered and let it poison their relationships. Limited resources can sometimes turn friends into frenemies and complete strangers into adversaries. Yes, some people live their lives like this, but that doesn’t mean you have to follow suit, and no matter what else you decide to do, please don’t adopt their paradigm.

So what can you do with your current situation? First, I hope you will take a moment to review all those underhanded digs and subtle insults and make sure you’re not just being hypersensitive. Sometimes we imagine the responses of others in advance (“Gosh, this new award is going to make everyone jealous!”) and then project those imaginings onto reality. Before you go any further, make sure you read the situation correctly and keep your own insecurities out of the driver’s seat. Got it? Okay, just checking.

Then, assuming you really are being insulted, you have a few options. You could ignore it and hope to find some nicer, more generous colleagues soon, or you can respond when your current pals start misbehaving. If they don’t know enough to say, “Congratulations!” and then bite their tongues, you are free to acknowledge their unkindness.

There are probably some people with whom you’d like to remain on friendly terms. You might consider speaking to these people in private, letting them know that they’ve hurt your feelings and that you’re uncomfortable with your current interactions. Tread carefully here, using “I feel” and “I think” assertions, instead of “you” statements, which tend to make people defensive and combative. If your goal is to preserve and even enhance former good feelings between the two of you, be ready to listen as well as talk.

When in public, the indirect and slippery nature of the left-handed compliment becomes trickier to address. You might try to face the issue head on by asking innocently, “Why do you say that?” or “What do you mean?” when you’re served with a subtle taunt. Pretending to not comprehend is a great way to get your antagonists to own what they are saying. With a little luck, they’ll either quickly learn to keep the belittling innuendoes in check, or bash you more openly—at which point you’re free to cut them loose. But at least you won’t die of a thousand tiny cuts.

For the really rude remarks made by people you don’t care about, one old favorite is complete silence coupled with a blank face and full eye contact, letting the remark hang uncomfortably in the air before turning away and talking to someone else. Save that for the really asinine over-the-top jabs. Anyone who is rude to you does not deserve your attention, so just remove yourself from this person’s presence and don’t subject yourself to any more bad energy. If jealousy and insecurity is making a colleague temporarily (or permanently) insane, you want to get away before the knives come out.

And what to do with the people you’ve only just met? Kill them with kindness by being as generous and sympathetic as you can. Self-awareness is something that most people lack, so maybe they aren’t even cognizant of how their remarks are perceived. Give them the benefit of the doubt until you get to know them better.

Is there an end to it? Do you ever get to pass through some pearly gates to join an enlightened level of arts participation where everyone is gracious and respectful? I wouldn’t know, but I sincerely doubt it. There’s no end to the competition (well, okay, maybe if you win a MacArthur), so there’s probably not an end to the sniping. That’s fine, you don’t have to engage in that kind of thing. Choose what kind of artist you want to be, and choose how you want to interact with people. You can’t dictate what other people do, but you can control how you operate and who you let into your life based on how they behave. The trick is to find people who you trust, who are open and aware of their own feelings, and then be as loving and honest as you can with them—and with yourself. Good luck!

Help Desk is where I answer your queries about making, exhibiting, finding, marketing, buying, selling–or any other activity related to contemporary art. Submit your questions anonymously here. All submissions become the property of Daily Serving.

I’m an artist and I live and work in [a small city]. There’s a woman who is relatively new to our small scene, and she doesn’t seem to like me, but I don’t know what I might have done to get on her bad side because most people I know enjoy her company. When I run into her at openings and parties, she makes snarky remarks that seem aimed at me. In the few times that we’ve been alone together, she’s made some subtle put-downs and backhanded compliments. Under other circumstances I’d just cross her off, but she’s friends with lots of my friends and she’s gotten herself into a position of power, curating exhibitions and jurying grants. I want to stick up for myself, but making her an outright enemy isn’t going to help my career. Can you help?

Jos de Gruyter and Harald Thys. Die Schmutzigen Puppen von Pommern, 2014; installation view, Micheline Szwajcer Gallery, Antwerp.

In the case that your ally does not know the reason behind this woman’s antipathy, you still need to try to rehabilitate the situation. A good way to start is to “kill with kindness” (this is the gritting your teeth part). Let’s give her the benefit of the doubt. Is it possible that she might have misinterpreted some gesture early on in your relationship? Could she have somehow gotten the impression that you don’t like her? If that’s conceivable, then this method gives you both a chance to change your perceptions of each other. Next time you see her, find something to compliment (note that you must be sincere). Show some mild admiration, like, “That’s a great dress,” “This is a really thoughtful lineup for the exhibition,” or “I was glad to hear you picked so-and-so for a grant, she deserves it.” Surely there is something you can find to like about her, and I want you to try it on a minimum of five different occasions—demonstrate that you’re serious and give her a few opportunities to respond properly. Bonus points for following your compliment with a question that shows interest in conversing with her (“Where did you get it?” “Did you start with the artists or a general concept?” “Do you know what she’s planning to do with the money?”) Even if you don’t end up best pals, maybe she’ll see you in a new light and the two of you can move forward with equanimity.

If, however, at the end of your little experiment she is still flicking that sharp tongue in the direction of your feelings, then it’s time to move on to a strategy called “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.” Surely you can’t be the only person in your city that Ms. Meanypants is wounding with her comments; the trick is to find a buddy without making yourself into a martyr or a whiner. If you’re cautious and subtle (“Oh, you mean Capricia? She can be a little biting, can’t she?”), you might find a partner for your misery, and at the very least you’ll have someone to grumble with when the barbed remarks start to sting. It’s also extremely empowering to know you’re not alone. I was once bullied viciously by a newly hired manager, and thought I was the only target of his domineering rants; the day I found out that he was also torturing a coworker was the day a great weight lifted off my shoulders, because it proved that I hadn’t done anything to deserve his aggression. For months, my confidant and I traded ideas for dealing with the situation (one favorite was to imagine ourselves behind bulletproof glass when in front of him), and for the rest of the year we provided vital emotional support for each other. I remain grateful to her.

Of course, there is one last strategy, both most obvious and most difficult, and it’s matter-of-fact honesty. The next time she is spiky to you, simply look her in the eye and ask, in a quiet and even tone, “Why do you say such mean things to me?” It’s not likely that she’ll give you a real answer, nor will she be cured of her hostility, but she might never challenge you again. No matter which technique you decide to try, be sure to get your artwork in front of people who want to support you—in and outside of your city—and apply for grants that she won’t be a part of. The next time she is rude, remind yourself that she’s probably very unhappy, because antagonism is generally bred from insecurity. Rise above it by being kind and polite, and remember that living well is the best revenge ever invented. Good luck!

Is your practice hot or not? Frieze Magazine is ready to assist you with your latest statement.

This week’s column features the artwork of Dimitri Kozyrev. His solo exhibition “ЗЕРКАЛО (Mirror)” just closed at Mark Moore Gallery in Los Angeles, but you can find more images here.

I am having a rather embarrassing problem with some of my local colleagues in the visual arts. That problem is a general enmity and competitiveness when it comes to grants and exhibitions. I have always taken a ‘win some lose some’ approach to my own art career and have always applied this sentiment to the failures and successes of my peers. Lately however, I have noticed that as I move up the food chain, as it were, many of the people I have known for a long time are now taking a much nastier tack with me, making underhanded digs at my decision making or being sure to insert a subtle insult along with their congratulations. I also notice that new artists that I meet at this same level act the same toward me, being generally snotty and backstabbing. Is this just a necessary evil of being an up-and-coming artist? Is there an end to it? Do blue chip artists have to deal with the petty insecurities of their peers or does everyone just get along past a certain point?

I wonder why you’re embarrassed by this problem when the poor behavior is coming from your colleagues and not from you. It seems that if anyone should be embarrassed, it’s them—after all, who hasn’t felt a little green-eyed when faced with the news of a competitor’s good fortune, even if that competitor is a friend—but they should have the good sense to offer their best wishes and leave it at that. Sulking is best done at home where no one can see your frowny little face.

Dimitri Kozyrev, Last one 16, 2012. Acrylic on canvas, 84 x 72 inches

It’s true that the competition model breeds insecurity. When 300 artists apply for one $10,000 grant, that leaves 299 disappointed; and everyone expresses disappointment in their own way. A few can shrug it off, as you seem to do, and others grow embittered and let it poison their relationships. Limited resources can sometimes turn friends into frenemies and complete strangers into adversaries. Yes, some people live their lives like this, but that doesn’t mean you have to follow suit, and no matter what else you decide to do, please don’t adopt their paradigm.

So what can you do with your current situation? First, I hope you will take a moment to review all those underhanded digs and subtle insults and make sure you’re not just being hypersensitive. Sometimes we imagine the responses of others in advance (“Gosh, this new award is going to make everyone jealous!”) and then project those imaginings onto reality. Before you go any further, make sure you read the situation correctly and keep your own insecurities out of the driver’s seat. Got it? Okay, just checking.

Then, assuming you are really being insulted, you have a few options. You could ignore it and hope to find some nicer, more generous colleagues soon, or you can respond when your current pals start misbehaving. If they don’t know enough to say, “Congratulations!” and then bite their tongues, you are free to acknowledge their unkindness.

Dimitri Kozyrev, Last one 14, 2012. Acrylic on canvas, 60 x 48 inches

There are probably some people with whom you’d like to remain on friendly terms. You might consider speaking to these people in private, letting them know that they’ve hurt your feelings and that you’re uncomfortable with your current interactions. Tread carefully here, using “I feel” and “I think” assertions, instead of “you” statements, which tend to make people defensive and combative. If your goal is to preserve and even enhance former good feelings between the two of you, be ready to listen as well as talk.

When in public, the indirect and slippery nature of the left-handed compliment becomes trickier to address. You might try to face the issue head on by asking innocently, “Why do you say that?” or “What do you mean?” when you’re served with a subtle taunt. Pretending to not comprehend is a great way to get your antagonists to own what they are saying. With a little luck, they’ll either quickly learn to keep the belittling innuendoes in check, or bash you more openly—at which point you’re free to cut them loose. But at least you won’t die of a thousand tiny cuts.

For the really rude remarks made by people you don’t care about, one old favorite is complete silence coupled with a blank face and full eye contact, letting the remark hang uncomfortably in the air before turning away and talking to someone else. Save that for the really asinine over-the-top jabs. Anyone who is rude to you does not deserve your attention, so just remove yourself from this person’s presence and don’t subject yourself to any more bad energy. If jealousy and insecurity is making a colleague temporarily (or permanently) insane, you want to get away before the knives come out.

Dimitri Kozyrev, Last One 10, 2012. Acrylic on canvas, 72 x 60 inches

And what to do with the people you’ve only just met? Kill them with kindness by being as generous and sympathetic as you can. Self-awareness is something that most people lack, so maybe they aren’t even cognizant of how their remarks are perceived. Give them the benefit of the doubt until you get to know them better.

Is there an end to it? Do you ever get to pass through some pearly gates to join an enlightened level of arts participation where everyone is gracious and respectful? I wouldn’t know, but I sincerely doubt it. There’s no end to the competition (well, okay, maybe if you win a MacArthur), so there’s probably not an end to the sniping. That’s fine, you don’t have to engage in that kind of thing. Choose what kind of artist you want to be, and choose how you want to interact with people. You can’t dictate what other people do, but you can control how you operate and who you let into your life based on how they behave. The trick is to find people that you trust, who are open and aware of their own feelings, and then be as loving and honest as you can with them—and with yourself.