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Art Knowledge
ASK THE

artsperts www.harmonmeek.com

by Kristine Meek and Juliana Meek 599 NINTH STREET NORTH SUITE 309 | NAPLES, FL 34102 | 239.261.2637

Dear Artsperts:

My husband and I have never walked into an art gallery. We are
intimidated and overwhelmed. We haven’t a question so much as a
statement: “We don’t know anything about art!”
IlliterART

Dear IlliterART,
We often hear this statement outside of the gallery and even
occasionally when people visit our gallery. Our reply is always the
same: you don’t need to know anything about art, you just need to
know what you like and don’t like, leaving the rest to us. Art is all
about your personal reaction based on feelings and memories that a
work of art will evoke. It’s impossible for us to tell you that you are
right or wrong in how you feel. In fact, it is absolutely okay if you
don’t personally like a work of art, even one that the academics and
museums hold in high regard.
We often host school groups at our Gallery and we always ask
the students to pick out the work they like and the one they don’t
like. The students are surprised when they are told it is okay not to
like something. We take it a step further and ask them to explain the
reasons they like certain works and not others. Inevitably, one child’s
favorite painting is another child’s least favorite work. This results in a
good discussion and life lesson that it is okay for people to be different
and have different opinions, but still be friends. At age 3, these boys know nothing about art, but still know what they
like and don’t like. Art is really about the feelings and memories we
You should never feel badly about not knowing about art. associate with different works of art. These boys selected this work
by Humberto Calzada as their favorite in our gallery, pretending to be
The very nature of art allows you to form your own opinions even
pirates after seeing it.
without having any knowledge about art history. That being said
the more museums and galleries you visit and books and articles you
read, the more you will start to learn about art in the academic sense. On the academic side of the art world, we tend to view art through
People have told us how a certain artist will grow on them. In part this a different lens, one which takes on a long-term view of art.
is because they have learned more about the artist and the meaning Tobi Kahn, once said all of his works are beautiful even if they are not
behind the work, but also because we all change with life experiences. all pretty. In our gallery, we look for this beauty, which comes with a
deeper meaning and impact of an artist and his or her body of work
Art is about your emotional reaction that is tied to feelings and
within the greater context of art history. However, on a personal level,
memories which you associate with a work of art. There is no doubt
we too develop our own feelings towards works and what we end up
that as you age and experience more, both good and bad, that the
acquiring for our private collections. However, despite our personal
same work of art will appear differently to you. It will take on new
feelings, there is always a level of respect for artists who are genuinely
meaning for you on a personal level. That is the magic in art.
striving to leave their impressions on the world of art.
The work itself doesn’t change, but your reaction to it most likely will,
over time.
Sincerely,
The Artsperts

22 Life in Naples | January 2020