Featured Kachina discovery

That's eloquently said. I also keep the art and the artist separate. (In general, I mean-- there are egregious examples.)

Another problem is evaluating an artist for embodying the cultural norms of their historical time and place.

As a literature teacher, if I had to forego all historical writers who in some way endorsed what seem to us today errant values, there'd be no one left!

 

This has turned into a very interesting thread !

 

I still cringe every time I hear a certain deceased pop star's music still being played on the radio.

Even though the songs are amazing, I still can't quite get over what he was accused of doing.

 

Like Gauguin, another one of my favourites, who lived with teenage girls on Polynesian islands when that was deemed normal in their culture at the time.

I wouldn't buy anything straight from an artist who committed immoral crimes or even murder, that would be supporting them financially. But if I could find a Gauguin or Caravaggio for $100 I would buy it in a heartbeat.
No chance of that though.

True.

So do I. It is too recent, and the victims are still reliving it every single day. To me that is different from Caravaggio. We have to think of people who are suffering right now.

 

That's Antiquers for you, threads often go off the rails.
This is an interesting subject though, always relevant. And it is good to listen to each other and weigh the pros and cons.

 

I might still like this kachina, even though the artist is questionable. Is that bad?

 

No, it is beautiful. And if you want to keep it, by all means do, and enjoy its beauty.

 

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No, that's not bad! Especially considering your family context for the piece.

 

It's a beautiful little work of art-guy's a good sculptor.As a representative of NA medicine/spirituality-not so much.That said-I'd take a soiled cocktail napkin of Gauguin's in a heartbeat.

 

I'd honestly rather have that cheesed-off maiden than a Gaughin. Or the aforementioned pop star. Or worse, a certain discredited comedian/actor who was a major star until certain immoral activities came to light.

 

I'd have to take the Gaughin over a sequined glove (assuming they were both 'freebies' of course !).
PS-'cheesed off maiden' & 'comic' ?-on the case & doing my homework.

 

The maiden was one of the kachinas, and the comic... was on TV in the 80s.

 

Hmmm...i must use my little grey cells on this.

 

Noah, how long can you tread water? (to quote a 60s routine)

 

Ok! Now I know who we're talkin about!
Yes, a despicable human.

 

Gotcha ya-God what a fall ! From America's greatest TV Dad to a true grotesque.

 

That's one word for 'im. Eek.

 

Eeek is right !