Art Quote by Jerry Saltz
“Rumors sound of galleries asking artists for up-sized art and more of it... Everything winds up set to maximum in order to feed the beast. Bigness is not all bad. There's something pleasing about large, well-lit spaces. But the bigness has also led to a narrowing of sensibilities, by making it very hard for any but the glitziest works to get traction.”
About This Quote
Source Article: Art Criticism, The Art Newspaper, 2023
The quote critiques how commercial pressures push galleries toward larger, more marketable works, limiting diverse artistic expression.
In simple terms: Commercial demand for big art narrows diversity.
Key Takeaway
Support varied art sizes and styles.
Themes
art market
commercial pressure
diversity
gallery trends
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
commentary
When to use this quote
- gallery curating
- artist decisions
- collector purchasing
- exhibition planning
Key Concepts
Economics of art
cultural homogenization
aesthetic scale
Questions to Reflect On
- How can galleries balance profit with artistic variety?
- What incentives could promote smaller, innovative works?
A Different Perspective
Large formats may dominate but can also marginalize subtle or experimental pieces.
