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Matthew, I'm pleased you're allowed to be irritated! Tom, I only wish I had more of your patience!
I subscribe to a newsletter from the National Portrait Gallery in London. Given the reputation this gallery has, it's galling to see its focus these days, and its not on quality painting.
You would assume they could tell the wheat from the chaff with the quality of their stock and collection. However, this months focus is on "artist" Tracy Emin. She became famous for selling, for a HUGE fee, an unmade bed, with used underwear, cigarette butts, etc to art buyers Saatchi & Saatchi. Fair enough, if they want to waste their money. But now she's on every arty show giving controversial critical review. When the artists of tomorrow are watching this,ie my kids, what are they meant to think?
Okay, so this is nothing new. But when you look at sites like this, and see the drive, energy passion and commitment from it's members, it really breaks my heart. Where is their financial return? Where is their recognition?
I'm off to light my torch, muster up a mob, and head up to the castle!
In the meantime, I'll work on my artistic appreciation. Maybe Sargent and Paxton were wrong, and their really is a future in leaving my bed unmade!
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