Well, surprisingly, it turns out that 10 CC didn’t coin the phrase as a rhetorical title for a pop song, but it comes from a 19th-century French phrase of uncertain provenance.
It refers, of course, to the concept of art being created without superfluous aim or intent, and is a pithy aphorism that’s been misappropriated by many over the years. Take the film studios, MGM, for example, which use the Latin version “Ars Gratia Artis” as their motto: proof, if proof were needed, that Americans don’t understand irony!
Anyway, I was reminded of this at the annual Goodworth Clatford Art & Craft Fair, which showcases work from a range of professional artists and talented artisans. But is it art for art’s sake?
The fair took place at Goodworth Clatford Village Club on November 7 to 9.
Entering the hall, I was immediately confronted by Darren Allsopp’s show-stopping metal sculptures. His “Brockelsby Fox” was a life-size fox made of steel from HMS Brocklesby, its innards cut open to reveal dried plants and flowers – a stunning creation: art as environmental commentary, perhaps?
Elsewhere, there were hand-bound notebooks on artisan paper – art meets functionality; ceramic bowls and ornaments – art for decoration and amusement; and plenty of elegant jewellery, including some unusual creations (made, I confess, by Mrs Reviewer) in mokume gane, a wood-grain-effect silver laminate of Japanese origin – art for beauty and adornment.
There were also, of course paintings a-plenty, which continued the show’s earlier trend towards “colourful realism” which, as one exhibitor ruefully explained, seems to be what the public favours when buying paintings – art as commerce, then; and charming felt animals by local artisan Louise, who began “felting” following her Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, and donates profits to a wildlife charity – art as philanthropic therapy.
My favourite piece, though, was also the one closest to art for art’s sake; a pared-back portrait of an Indian gentleman, by Susie Harries of the local art group – a minimalist representation that somehow captured the essence of rural Indian gentlemen.
So, another excellent art and craft weekend in Goodworth, with something for every taste and pocket. For me, it showed that art is rarely created for its own sake, but has an innate reason and meaning. Oh, and it also proved that art can drive you mad by making you hum irritating 1970s hits that you’d hoped you’d forgotten!
By Chris Parkinson-Brown
