Judging an Art Exhibition

Art Exhibitions:

I know and I accept that: Art is Subjective and Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder.....

I can accept a judge's award, no matter the merit, quality, & overall look of a piece.....

However, when a judge gives Merit Awards to four paintings that all look alike, no matter they are by four different artists, I have a problem with regards to their subjectivity and ability to fairly assess art.

I believe that when judging a show it is important to include all types of media in the awards. Photographs, prints, watercolors, & oils alike.... not just your preferred type of medium.

Last night the 4 pieces that won the "Merits Awards" all looked the same, they looked like they had been painted by the same person. 

They were in that boring & valueless gouache-like paint, they were all flat & two dimensional landscapes.  The range of colors were limited to large areas of dull oranges, with flat blue skies & grey greens..

All the frames were of that new "trendy" fat gold-leaf, which did absolutely nothing for the paintings.....  At lease add a thin white linen liner and make your work "pop"!

What surprised me even more was the fact that the two of the six pieces of mine that the judge deemed "worthy" of the exhibit were bright and colorful! Not one of the dramatic lesser colored pieces was chosen.

The judge had a high prejudice and it was sadly obvious to see.