Aphorisms for Artists by Walter Darby Bannard

Aphorism #67

Beauty gets a bad rap.

The dominant vulgarity in the art business is not Elvis-on-velvet or Kinkade cottages or dogs playing poker, but the habit of adulterating art with “meaning” because beauty is confused with prettiness and therefore “not enough” for serious art.

Scientists are smart people. When they are impressed with a brilliant theory they call it “beautiful.” We should not surrender our territory so easily.

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