Washington-born artist Chuck Close is obviously talented. He has had a long and fascinating career , due in part because he is differently-abled. Close’s work is especially interesting for our class, because he’s obsessed with his own image (Links to an external site.). However, in 2017, Close’s legacy changed once more when several women came forward and accused him of sexual harassment , some of whom had molded for him. The #MeToo movement is critical to rewriting cultural wrongs, and as such has raised many interesting questions concerning the art world at large, mainly:
Can you separate art from the artist?
For full points in this week’s discussion form:
1.) Skim the linked resources
https://hyperallergic.com/420538/four-more-women-allege-sexual-misconduct-by-chuck-close/
https://www.moma.org/artists/1156#works
https://www.sfmoma.org/artist/chuck_close/
https://www.pacegallery.com/artists/chuck-close/
https://walkerart.org/calendar/2005/chuck-close-self-portraits-1967-2005
2.) Consider:
Can you separate art from the artist?
Should you separate art from the artist?
Chuck Close is just one example of an artist who has abused his power and position to prey on others. Know that you know more about his history, does this change your view of his work? His many self-portraits, in particular?
Write a ~100 -150 words