Paul responds to art critic
WAG
Paul art exhibit to open in England Update (9/10/00) Paul is said to be
angered by negative comments by art critic Brian Sewell about his paintings.
He decried the "infuriating tendency amongst clapped-out pop stars to become
artists . . . they usually reproduce unmitigated garbage and should stick to
what they were doing . . . I don't think anyone should move into the visual
arts at that age [McCartney began painting at 40] and expect to be taken
seriously." Replied Paul, "I liked the idea of getting feedback, but the
moment it got reviewed, people like Brian Sewell, whose name I shouldn't know
but do, said, 'But he's hopeless! He just can't paint!' " Adding an
expletive, Paul said, "You get plans to mug him. Find out where he lives, but
then you say, 'No come on. You just don't do that.' " (Thanks to Wendy
Starr.)
~~~~~
Welcome to the world of gallery art, Paulie...
Francie
--
http://sites.netscape.net/fabest
A cruel story runs on wheels, and every hand oils the wheels as they run.
~ Ouida ~
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
robertandrews
>He decried the "infuriating tendency amongst clapped-out pop stars to
become artists . . . they usually reproduce unmitigated garbage and should
stick to
what they were doing . . . I don't think anyone should move into the visual
arts at that age [McCartney began painting at 40] and expect to be taken
seriously."
There is an infuriating tendency amongst some pretentious reviewers who
insist on destroying the artist before evaluating the art. Mr. Sewell is
biased against pop stars, & has implied that the "visual arts" occupy a
loftier position than pop music. That's nonsense. He dismisses ALL artists
who begin at a later age. He should have recused himself from writing this
review.
At age 40, Serge Gainsbourg left painting for pop music. Even Yoko started
pretty late. Should we dismiss their work because of their age? Or is it
just the "visual arts" that require an early start?
I guess Mr. Sewell is not familiar with the career of Vincent Van Gogh.
lynett...@my-deja.com
cut outs. Many great artists had slow or late starts, and many great masters
of art who were doing something "different" were sneered at by self-important
critics who not only didn't have an eye for true art, but also couldn't hit a
lick of paint on a canvas if their life depended on it. Years later, the
critic is gone, the artist is gone, but the art is there and stands on its
own with its artist looking gifted and its critic looking narrow-minded.
Speaking of Ono, you got to hand it to her, a couple of her conceptual art
ideas really did quite well and endured. And speaking of Paul, I think his
work is quite talented. I think it makes insecure people quite uncomfortable
to encounter someone who is multi-talented like Paul. I read where Paul's
work was favorably reviewed by some critics, so there you go. Art is like
that. Can't please everybody. ---LS In article
<trbv5.4600$WW.2...@dfiatx1-snr1.gtei.net>, "robertandrews"
<robert...@hotmail.com> wrote:
Lisa
lynett...@my-deja.com wrote:
> many great masters
> of art who were doing something "different" were sneered at by self-important
> critics who not only didn't have an eye for true art, but also couldn't hit a
> lick of paint on a canvas if their life depended on it.
If I have to hear this "the critic can't do what the artist does, thus
his/her opinion is utterly valueless," one more time, I'm going to be
*very* upset. And it seems that it only applies if the opinion is
negative. If the same person gives a *good* review ("I read where
Paul's work was favorably reviewed by some critics, so there you go")
it's eagerly jumped on. Make up your mind.
After all, "those who can't do, review!"
Sorry for ranting.
Lisa
WAG
That's not a rant, that's just common sense. I didn't think the "age" issue
was the main thing at all. It's just clear from Paul's response that he
hasn't yet become accustomed to the ways of art critics. Much like book
reviewers, they are almost all failed painters or academics pretending to
know something substantive about a subject that defies academia.
I'm sure his show will sell well, and that he will be staunchly defended as a
painter by others. He needs to remember the criticism of Linda's photography,
and how little she was bothered by it.
Francie "Can't Take the Heat Get Out of the Kitchen" Schwartz
--
http://sites.netscape.net/fabest
A cruel story runs on wheels, and every hand oils the wheels as they run.
~ Ouida ~
Stephen Carter
<shooby...@my-deja.com> wrote:
>(Nicked from Steve Marinucci's Abbeyrd Beatle News)
>
>Paul art exhibit to open in England Update (9/10/00) Paul is said to be
>angered by negative comments by art critic Brian Sewell about his paintings.
>He decried the "infuriating tendency amongst clapped-out pop stars to become
>artists . . . they usually reproduce unmitigated garbage and should stick to
>what they were doing . . . I don't think anyone should move into the visual
>arts at that age [McCartney began painting at 40] and expect to be taken
>seriously." Replied Paul, "I liked the idea of getting feedback, but the
>moment it got reviewed, people like Brian Sewell, whose name I shouldn't know
>but do, said, 'But he's hopeless! He just can't paint!'
Can I try to add value to this thread by perhaps letting
people outsside of the UK know about Mr Sewell.
He's an Art Critic who originated as an academic at the
Courtalud Institute. He is famous mostly not for his art
criticism but his voice! He is blessed with (irony) the
most stuffy upper crust pompous voice you could imagine that
a charicature of an upper class englishman from the 1930's
could have.
In some senses he's very intelligent, in others he's totally
out of touch with the real world. (The charicature of a
Judge needing to be told who the Beatles are - a pop combo -
can well be applied to him) And, yes I have met him :-(
As for the paintings.... as Sir Paul has kindly arranged to
bring them to Bristol for me to see them without travelling
far, we'll just have to wait and see. (Annoyingly the
'chat' with Paul session at the view was sold out before I
got to hear of it, despite what I had thought was an inside
source!)
--
st...@stephencarterNOSPAM.net
Nothing is Beatle Proof!!
Jeremy Boob
Then again, he probably shouldn't have led with his butt crack art
(sitting in a tray of paint and then on a canvas). Thirty years ago
maybe, but now?...........
The Walrus was Danny
> far
Did you move from Brighton to Bristol because you like living in
towns/cities beginning with Bri?
Danny
lynett...@my-deja.com
just didn't make it clear enough! LOL! I only find reviewers valueless when
they make personal attacks on the artist or say crude things. Negative
criticism can be good and have value if done in a professional manner. I
think Sewell's was unprofessional, without any kind of meaningful
explanations as to why he felt the way he did. ----Lynette
In article <39BD5A42...@azstarnet.com>,
Lisa <ba...@azstarnet.com> wrote:
>
>
robertandrews
>It's not very early, but, imho, it's not 'late'.
I was referring to her auspicious entry into pop music.
Stephen Carter
Aw gee..... after all this time someone has me rumbled.
Spot on Danny! :-)
Richard Joly
<robert...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>At age 40, Serge Gainsbourg left painting for pop music. Even Yoko started
>pretty late. Should we dismiss their work because of their age? Or is it
For the record :
Yoko was born in 1933.
Her first published texts came in the mid-50s [May 1955, Campus] when
she was 22.
First solo gallery exhibit 1961[AG Gallery July 61], age 28.
First concert performances late 1960/early 1961 [Chambers Loft Series]
and 1961 [Village Gate, Spring 61], age 27/28.
It's not very early, but, imho, it's not 'late'.
Also for the record, she was from the very beginning doing voice
works, and by summer 61, performing with manipulated tapes +
electronic sound collages.
[Um... how many years is this before CARNIVAL OF LIGHT ? ;-) ]
Richard Joly
huzzlewhat
> Can I try to add value to this thread by perhaps letting
> people outsside of the UK know about Mr Sewell.
>
> He's an Art Critic who originated as an academic at the
> Courtalud Institute. He is famous mostly not for his art
> criticism but his voice! He is blessed with (irony) the
> most stuffy upper crust pompous voice you could imagine that
> a charicature of an upper class englishman from the 1930's
> could have.
>
> In some senses he's very intelligent, in others he's totally
> out of touch with the real world. (The charicature of a
> Judge needing to be told who the Beatles are - a pop combo -
> can well be applied to him) And, yes I have met him :-(
Thanks for the information -- certainly adds a bit of color to the whole
kerfluffle.
> As for the paintings.... as Sir Paul has kindly arranged to
> bring them to Bristol for me to see them without travelling
> far, we'll just have to wait and see. (Annoyingly the
> 'chat' with Paul session at the view was sold out before I
> got to hear of it, despite what I had thought was an inside
> source!)
When I saw the store's website describing the talk (Paul and Brian Clarke
in conversation), with tickets priced at a grand L6.50, I had to wonder
how much the scalpers/touts would be selling them for!
I was also amused by the somewhat understated advice, "bookings
essential." No, really???
Maybe one of those inside sources will come through for you in the end --
and if you do, give us a report back, please?
Hazel
--
"And Stella the little fairy wore a little hat, that she
could see through! And Mary the little fairy wore a
little shawl, that kept her warm."