Trembling Art

What is it that makes us tremble at the thought of giving our views on a piece of fine art? That quick line of beady sweat which develops on one’s forehead as we attempt to intellectualise what it is that’s staring right back at our very faces…?

This crops up time and time again, and it seems to affect quite a vast number of us. I’d love to hear your views on the topic.

I used Barbara as an example of this at a recent visit to The Courtauld Gallery in London. We had full access to the gallery, so were free to roam where we liked. Little did she know at the time, but I was watching Barbara. Looking at how she was engaging with the art, what comments and questions were raised as a result – and ultimately what she thought of the art. Her views, her opinions. It’s not a lot to ask, right? Wrong.

Firstly it’s important to say that Barbara does like art. She visits museums and galleries. She is a cultured being. She speaks French, has travelled the world, has a degree and works in an international team in various countries around the world. She even comes from culture capital of Britain: Birmingham. My point is that she probably has a ‘higher than average’ access and exposure to art, yet when asked what she thinks of a Henri Matisse’s painting ‘The Red Beach’, she becomes a bumbling, inarticulate, blushing being. She is lost, strayed away from her comfort zone, marooned far into the distance of a primitive island benign to the human race…

The painting in question...

Okay, a little far-fetched, but as you can see from this interview, Barbara is not at ease with my questioning. And she’s not the only one. Many will judder and shake at such questioning, or use the opportunity to eavesdrop discretely when others are having such discussions – storing up their answers for just this type of awkward occasion.

Description of 'The Red Beach'

Surely an opinion on a painting, is an opinion? You are entitled to that view and you needn’t have to justify it with flowery, intellectualised words of philosophical jargon and artistry? You give your views on films, concerts and other art forms quite happily, but what’s with the cement in the throat when art hits the discussion decks?

I do understand it to an extent. I really do. People want to appear eloquent and intellectual, full of name-drops from history and their cultured upbringing. This is who they are in their lives and the persona they use for the world. But surely to speak up and give a view, however minimal it is – or simply stating that they don’t like the art, is a better way forwards…?

I’m not sure why we don’t speak up more on our art views. We’re an opinionated lot, after all. But do please enlighten me. I’d love to hear your views on how it is for you engage with art. Do please share your view. Whatever it is. I won’t judge you.