"Bad Art" is a 4-Letter Word

OK. That's two words, and each only has three letters. But, I think I made my point. I find the phrase "bad art" offensive. Actually, I find the phrase "good art" offensive as well. Art is art. It is what it is. Some art will speak to you and some won't. You will like some art and maybe downright hate some. You might consider it good or bad, but that's as far as it goes. It's your opinion and your opinion only.

If art is created with honesty to vision it can be a very spiritual thing (see "Stealing Your Soul"). There is a truth in art. That truth might be big. It might be small. Even a child's artwork can speak to some. Most likely, that will be a very limited circle of people like parents or teachers. But, if it is honest, all art will speak to the viewer. The only difference is a matter of scale: how many people will it speak to.

You might realize the message or idea or mood the artist is trying to convey or it might be completely lost on you. You're not going to "get" every work of art. So, obviously, you're not going to like everything. That's OK. You're not supposed to. If everybody liked everything, art would become a homogeneous collection of pointless dribble. But don't let anyone try to tell you what you like and don't like. Now, that doesn't mean you can't be taught to appreciate something. The more you consider art and study it, the broader your appreciation will become.

I believe most people are afraid to admit what they like and don't like. There is a fear that they aren't educated enough to make an informed opinion. So they look to others (teachers, galleries and other "experts") to tell them what "good art" is. But you know what you like and don't like. Trust yourself. The main goal of any work of art is to connect with the viewer (see What's the Point). Any art that connects with you is "good art" to you. What I think of that same art is insignificant. The connection between you and the artist is what matters. So, when you find artwork you like, accept it, and support the artist. That will give the artist the strength to continue creating.

#artistindenial