Sewell Pees On Modern Art

Brian Sewell, Britain's most controversial art critic chooses to ignore the Turner Art Prize in his newspaper column. 'Ignoring it is the kindest thing one can do,' he says, lightly. 'It's been rigged for years. It used to be outrageous, but this year it is just dull.' Most art critics, in his view, are far too worried about being shut out in the cold to sharpen their knives. His enemies, and God knows he has a few, often (inaccurately) complain that Sewell's love of art ends with Poussin. Anything later and he just isn't interested. On balance, however, it is fair to say that he thinks that modern art is rubbish. 'We've reached the point where Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen might as well be an artist; all he needs is an empty room and some chalk. We pee on things, we pee into things, we pee over things... and call it art.' He is especially contemptuous of women artists. 'Women are no good at squeezing cars through spaces. If you have someone who is unable to relate space to volume, they won't make a good artist. Look at Barbara Hepworth - a one-trick pony. Look at that pile of rubbish in the Tate by Rachel Whiteread. In another generation, it will be inconceivable that anyone will be taught how to paint. The blind are leading the blind. The head of painting at the Royal College couldn't paint a Christmas card.' For the full story - click the title Irish Art