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July 13, 2003Is Drawing Dead?When I wrote the article'Drawing Skills on Display' earlier this year, discussing the standard of exhibits in a drawing show as a manifestation of the state of art education, I felt rather disloyal to the talented teachers that I had seen doing their best within a flawed system. So, I was pleased to learn of a recently published book that takes a long hard look at recent art history and art education. Emma Tennant of 'The Spectator' has written a review of Julian Spalding's 'The Eclipse of Art' which highlights some of the former Glasgow gallery director's concerns (with an amusing cartoon). Available online is Spalding's essay Why its Ok Not to Like Modern Art'. Written in a readable style - no obscure artspeak here - Spalding cheerfully shreds some of the big names in modern art, revealing Damian Hirst as a wilful fraud, with an insighful view of the birth of the art market. There has been a great deal invested in the perpetuation of the art establishment - reputations are at stake, vast sums of money are involved, and to challenge accepted critical norms is risky for anyone seeking to develop a career in the arts. Julian Spalding is to be commended for having the courage to speak up about the 'Emperor's New Clothes'. When the critics have finished sputtering their indignation, will there be red faces all round? |
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