Retiring: Art critic Dave Hickey has grown tired of the 'fame obsessed' modern art world
A famous American culture critic has announced he is quitting the world of art as he claims it has become obsessed with celebrities and money.
Dave Hickey attacks the contemporary arts scene saying anyone who has ‘read a Batman comic’ can make a career for themselves in art.
The professor and author condemns the ‘tourist mentality’ of the industry, complaining it has led to well-known artists being overestimated.
The 71-year-old arts and culture critic said it has become ‘calcified, self-reverential and a hostage to rich collectors who have no respect for what they are doing’.
‘Art editors and critics – people like me – have become a courtier class,’ he told The Observer.
‘All we do is wander around the palace and advise very rich people. It's not worth my time.’
‘If I go to London, everyone wants to talk about Damien Hirst. I'm just not interested in him. Never have been.’
Mr Hickey said the emergence of arts consultants has led to collectors buying what they have been told is great art, instead of forming their own opinion.
