Although I think of myself as being quite creative (I’m a writer after all), apparently, I am missing the arty person gene.
According to my high school art teachers, I’m no good at creating it, and even more rubbish at critiquing.
Even when I helped Miss 21 with her art homework in high school, the feedback was that it was more “craft” than “art”. Whatever that means.
While I may not be able to appreciate the finer points of art, I know what I like – and what I don’t like – and that’s what matters to me.
So if you too think of yourself as a non-arty person, and happen to find yourself in Canberra, the National Gallery of Australia is still worth a visit. (Apart from anything, the air conditioning was AMAZING on a day where the temperature reached 37 degrees!).
Yes, some of the paintings will inspire you to rush home and slap some paint on a canvas, or ask your nearest related toddler to do the same – so you can make a fortune selling it as “art”.
The purchase of “Blue Poles” by Jackson Pollock caused quite a stir when it was purchased in 1973 for $1.3 million, because it was so expensive. Turns out it was a good investment …
But there are other artworks which will take your breath away (and not just because of the price tag).
For me, it was seeing Monet’s Water Lilies in the flesh. Pictures really don’t do it justice. Although I risk sounding like a pretentious art snob, I really was captivated by the luminescence of this painting.
You really could just sit and look at it for hours a while.
Other artworks just beg to be touched (but please don’t).
Certain artworks will likely evoke memories for you – these French Impressionist posters did that for me, as I remember copies of them hanging on the wall in my dad and stepmum’s house, when I was a child.
I was also drawn to the bright colours of some of the pop art.
So while we non-arty people may not be able to truly understand what makes an art work great, we can still find plenty to enjoy at the National Gallery of Australia (personally, I preferred it over the National Portrait Gallery, but that’s just me).
Oh, and here’s a fascinating fact for you: apparently the National Gallery of Australia and I share a birth year – 1967.
Are you an arty or non-arty person – or have you ever visited our National Gallery?!
Joining up with some of my fave bloggers for:
