I've been saying this for years
The Beat links to a blog that dares blog the unthinkable: Chris Ware is overrated. Writes David Apatoff at Illustration Art:
Ware's work combines three disciplines: artist, graphic designer and writer. Taking them in order, it is hard to argue that his "art" -- the actual drawings inside the panels -- is anything better than competent. He draws in a monotone, with little of the variety, the sensitivity or wisdom of line, the composition, design, or the other qualities that have traditionally been the hallmark of great drawing. Ware would have made an excellent key liner, and that was an honorable profession, but anybody knowledgeable about sequential art or illustration should have no trouble identifying 500 superior artists. As an aside, Ware also hasn't discovered that an artist who wants to depict a repetitive and bleak life cannot simply resort to repetitive and bleak drawings. Important lesson.
Get ready for the biggest shockwave to hit the comics world since Ted Rall stomped on Art Spiegelman.
posted by Franklin @ 7:59 PM
2 Comments:
It's controversial to observe that Ware's art is fairly mediocre? Wow, the bar has really been lowered?
If you look at the sketchbook Ware put out a couple of years back, or read his interviews, his drawing style is deliberately simple and understated. Moreover, the sketchbook proves that the guy can draw just about anything in any number of styles.
I can understand why he might not be somebody's aesthetic cup of tea, but making general statements abot a working artist's abilities (as opposed to his choices) seems silly.
Post a Comment
<< Home