Few art critics could rattle the establishment quite like Brian Sewell. Known for his sharp tongue and keen insights, Sewell was a prominent English art critic and writer who made waves in the art world for his provocative opinions and unapologetic honesty. Born in 1931 in London and passing away in 2015, Sewell worked as the art critic for the Evening Standard for over three decades. There, he became famous—or notorious, depending on whom you ask—for skewering the trendy art of his time and lambasting what he saw as a decline in artistic standards.
Throughout his life, Sewell was unashamedly himself, a characteristic that both endeared him to many and drew the ire of others. In a world as subjective as art criticism, his voice was one of certainty. Those who appreciated his work valued his willingness to speak truth to power, unafraid to take on big names and established institutions. Whether he was right or wrong in any given critique was perhaps less important than his ability to provoke thought and discussion.
Sewell's writing style was as colorful as some of the art he critiqued. With a preference for the classics and an aversion to much of modern and contemporary art, his views were often at odds with the evolving art world. This clash was a source of endless fascination for art lovers and media alike. Sewell would frequently highlight what he saw as the vacuous nature of certain contemporary pieces, contrasting them with works from the Renaissance or Baroque periods, which he admired for their skill and depth.
One of the most cited examples of Sewell's polarizing commentary was his disdain for the Turner Prize, an award for contemporary visual artists, which he famously scorned as a "farce". For Sewell, art should communicate something profound and timeless, a standard by which many modern works failed, in his eyes. Despite—or perhaps because of—his harsh critiques, Sewell's columns were widely read and eagerly anticipated.
Brian Sewell's approach to art criticism wasn't merely an act of rebellion against new movements for the sake of tradition; it was a sincere belief in the power and responsibility of great art. His staunch stands earned him both loyal followers and fierce critics. Some viewed him as a necessary dose of reality in a pretentious industry; others saw him as an elitist dismissing innovation.
Yet, beyond the art critiques, there was a complex personality. Sewell wasn't limited to just penning scathing reviews. He was also an art historian, a presenter, a diarist, and, in many ways, a cultural commentator. His autobiography, “Outsider”, offers an intimate glimpse into the life and mind of a man who remained, throughout his career, an outsider himself.
Despite his traditionalist views, Sewell's commentary ironically attracted a younger demographic that enjoyed his brutally honest and often witty take on the art scene. They found inspiration in Sewell's courage to express opinions at odds with mainstream culture, resonating with a generation that values authenticity and individualism.
Critics of Sewell's critique style argued that his perspective was too rigid and dismissive of genuine innovation. They pointed out that the evolution of art inherently required experimentation and risk-taking, elements that Sewell often disparaged. To them, art was a reflection of its time, and Sewell's nostalgia for past eras seemed to negate the value of contemporary expressions.
Understanding Sewell's world involves recognizing that he was a man deeply tied to an idea of what art should be, yet able to provoke meaningful debate about what art is becoming. Perhaps this is why, even after his passing, discussions about his views persist, motivating new dialogues among young artists and critics.
In contemplating Sewell's legacy, perhaps it’s useful to consider how differing perspectives enrich the art world. While he stood firmly in his opinions, the resulting conversations have broad implications for how art is valued, critiqued, and appreciated. Such dialogue fuels the evolution of art, providing space for innovation and diversity, elements integral to the continuing vibrancy of art as a form of human expression.
Brian Sewell may have left a divisive legacy, but it’s undeniable that he left a legacy nonetheless. His life’s work continues to echo through the corridors of art galleries, the pages of publications, and the minds of those who dare to ask challenging questions about what art should represent. For Gen Z and beyond, Sewell's story is a reminder of the power of a singular voice to affect change, question norms, and inspire generations to come.