Zen Li's
How to judge a work of Art

To the layman art critic deciphering a piece of Art can be a daunting task. Here is a guide to get you started.

Examine these two paintings. Note the subtle differences between the piece on the left and the work of art on the right.

Cindy Podgorski - Piece of shit on canvas	William Bouguereau

No, you are not missing the point. You are not misinterpreting the facts. You are not insane. The piece on the left is a piece of shit. The piece on the right is a work of Art. Here is another example:

Some Idiot - Piece of shit with red paint This piece belongs on the fridge with the other first attempts.	William Bouguereau

Are you beginning to see a pattern?
Don't be fooled by scam artists (excuse the pun) trying to sell you pieces of shit. If it looks like a bunch of squiggles that's all it is. It's really that simple. Don't be drawn into the 'Well what about the deeper meaning...." NO! Piece of shit! Say it with me.... this bunch of paint is just paint. It is not a painting. "But the metaphor of... " no! Don't be fooled. Piece of shit. "But if I squint my eyes..." Stop it! No Squinting. Open your eyes and look!

Since when does a work of Art require YOU to do all the work? Since when does it require a gimmick to be good? Since when does it require a long bullshit explanation to inject meaning into the squiggles?
That's called Lazy Art. Scam Art. Con Art. Gimmick Art.

Have a look at this pile of excrement on the left and the work of art on the right.

Mark Rothko - Untitled piece of shit	van Eyck, after the Master of Flemalle

I feel like the little kid in the Emperor's New Clothes, there is nothing there! Just a bunch of random squiggles. Deal with it. Some dealers do deal with it. Ignore them, they are con artists (excuse the pun again).

Now go out into the world and be an art critic. Get some balls and stand up.