Is Abstract Art A Sham?

I disagree with this assertion. Abstract art can be anything you imagine. Thus it can be extremely bad or expectational. People scratch their heads and ask why is this artwork worth so much money, where anyone could have painted it. As art doesn’t have a proper criteria, it cannot be properly judged. This allows for art to be used for money laundering and tax purposes. There is no point obfuscating the fact that this happens. Some rich people buy these artworks for millions of dollars and then donate them to galleries, for a tax right off. Just as real estate is used for legitimate purposes to buy your family a home, other people buy property to hide their ill gotten wealth. There are many people including rich people(I am not claiming all rich people are money laundering, many love art) that want to buy art to not only fill their homes with it, but to support up and coming artists. Generally, these people have an extensive knowledge about art and take the initiative to look for new artists anywhere they can. This industry that supports the money laundering aspect of the art world is giving a false impression of abstract art. The people that have elected themselves as experts who are part of this burgeoning business, are there to sell artworks and promote artists who buy into this way of selling art. They are not here as experts all though they give an impression as if they are, but I cannot blame anyone for questioning the knowledge of a person who claims a canvas that was paint white is something expectational because the artist chose a specific white tone. Then they make exaggerated claims about what the artist is trying to say with an elaborate story which cannot be substantiated, as often this is purely a figment of their imagination and cannot be seen in this artwork. You are made to feel rather ignorant, not to share their emphatic opinions. But the reality is, it is this person’s job to sell a painting that is painted white and clearly they are doing a great job of it. It isn’t their job to show you the best that abstract art can offer, as their job is sell art. This is marketing in action and what this proves is that all artists should focus on marketing as it can legitimise anything.

Then How Do Can You Judge Abstract Art?

With landscape and portrait art, a higher standard is expected because it draws from the real world and people. There are specific procedures and rules based on the laws of nature, that need to be followed. In abstract art there is an enormous amount of freedom and the artist defines their own world. It is the artists perception that is more important then painting an impression of a landscape scene. As with all art, there is a standard that can be judged, with composition, colour choices, ideas, how the ideas developed and the complexity of the artwork. That is what allows people to use their eyes and know instinctually this is wonderful art and a painted white canvas is not. I hate to be harping on it, but it is an example that I find amusing, as for most artists, a white canvas is the beginning of an artwork not the end. For all this marketing and attention that is given to artworks that are going for millions of dollars, the public is asking the question why. This proves one thing, that in the end the public decides which artist will be remembered and the art world can only push their choice to a certain extant. All humans have a natural instinctive ability for recognising exceptional art. What if we have been looking in the wrong places for good abstract artists? Certainly the public hasn’t endorsed the people that have been thrust on them. Contrary to popular belief as an abstract artist, I am one of many abstract artists who puts many hours into each artwork, I am not saying I am a good abstract artist, but I don’t finish an artwork in half hour let alone a day. I spend days sketching and deciding on the subject matter on each artwork. Then further time is spent on choosing colour combinations and movement. If any problems arise, I have to find solutions and make sure all the elements work together. So at the end of the day for a large painting it may take up to a month to finish. I will never give you an essay for what I have created, as the artwork should speak for itself. It is up to you to decide what you think and that may be why people are rebelling against this thinking. There is a certain unfairness to seeing art rewarded with millions of dollars knowing full well, you could do it as well. This doesn’t mean that this is all there is to abstract art; it is just a sub type that is preferred by a group of people. There are many different forms of abstract art. It is up to you to decide whether it appeals to you, what you like about it and whether it is good.