Martin Gayford August 1996 ~
Martin Gayford is a freelance art and jazz critic,
writing regularly for The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph, The Spectator & Modern Painters

As an exercise in tense, not to say competitive, practical criticism, taking part in The Discerning Eye would be hard to beat. Not only does one have to commit oneself on the spot to works in the open section - sight unseen, not knowing the name of the artist - but one also has to do so quick as a flash. Otherwise, you see, some other Discerning Eye may nab it.

This is a salutary exercise. How often, with chagrin, one sees the point in a piece just after another selector has commandeered it. Indeed, it is true to say that as soon as someone declares a liking for a picture, it immediately looks more interesting. No doubt, by the way, this psychological law applies throughout the world of art and beyond.

Consequently, what I have on display from the open submission represents only what I was able to whisk away from beneath the eagle eyes of my colleagues. Nonetheless, I proudly feel that I have bagged some very fine pictures, of various kinds. I am also pleased and grateful to all the distinguished and exciting artists who have accepted my invitation to exhibit here.

For me this has been an exercise in the discovery of my own taste. If a theme emerges, it is only, I think that quality exists these days in many diverse forms and ways, abstract, figurative, and various places in between.

 

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