The portraits need to be talked about separately. They can be summarized succinctly.
1. Michelle Obama's portrait was painted by a not very good artist.
2. President Obama's portrait was created (he farmed out most of the actual work) by someone who deliberately turned the event into a farce. There is no other reasonable conclusion.
First, let us examine the FLOTUS portrait.
We Philistines might need a Professor Highbrow to inform us when the symphony has reached a pinnacle in its celebration of Schubert's essence, but even the cheap seats know when the orchestra is playing out of tune. And now, the barons of the balcony turn their eyes to Amy Sherald.
For starters, Amy Sherald's depiction of Michelle Obama only vaguely resembles Michelle Obama. Had this work not been publicly unveiled and it was shown to a focus group, how many would have correctly identified the subject? I suspect some white people might think it was Michelle Obama but would offer another answer for fear of an indictment of "they all look alike."
Art is detail. Detail is art. Even the Monets and Hoppers knew this to be true. Another story for another time. The details of this velvet art are unkind.
Let us skip over the wet noodle left arm, the ASL "turkey" sign, the cadaver skin and manikin face. Is this woman wearing a parachute or a circus tent? Regardless of the artist's stated purpose, the star of the show is the jumbo-sized garment.
While we can dismiss the work using traditional artistic standards, it would work nicely as commercial art in which the product overshadows the dull, understated everywoman (or manikin.) The problem is that this was supposed to be all about Michelle Obama. If the artist cut a deal with the other Michelle--Michelle Smith, the dress designer in question--then it all makes sense. Maybe it's not bad art, it's cryptic commercial art.
I have no animus for Michelle Obama. This blog leaves the families out of it unless they barge into the discussion. Fewer than one percent of the posts mention the former first lady. I think she was either snookered by the artist or simply given terrible advice. Either way, she deserves a mulligan.
Can we get a real artist at GoFundMe?
