apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Ugh, everywhere I look lately, I see self-consciously "childlike" drawings like these. I don't understand the appeal.

Why does an intentionally crude representation of what appears to be a weeping Down's Syndrome child make you "smile"?

I dont understand why the only people that post on here complain about everything.

shirley-temple-of-doom:

Huh? Naive art is not a recent thing, naive art is a movement that has been going on for centuries, in South American and African countries, in the case of South America, serving as a way of social protest by outsider artists. And great artists, worldwide, have stated through their careers that going back to paint like a child is one of the hardest things to achieve. Pablo Picasso said, and I quote: "It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child."

and I think it is a sad girl who lost something or is very shy - therefore the hands on the pockets, but soon she'll be much better because the puppy is on its way to console her, or so I want it to believe

La-Loca:

Thanks, I'm already familiar with Picasso, Jean Dubuffet, Art Brut, and the like.

What I'm referring to is a style of contemporary illustration that's currently enjoying a vogue, and being printed on everything from t-shirts to wallets to pillowcases to spiral notebooks (so much for angst & social protest!). It has a distinct saccharine flavor that's very different from the art you've compared it to-- it's simpering and juvenile. AND becoming ubiquitous in malls around America.

If you can buy it at Anthropolgie.... is it still considered "outsider art"?

Note how I said South America and Africa and in no point I mentioned America, malls or any store.

I think art should be accessible, I think it is wonderful when people can afford a piece of artwork for their homes. My flat is filled with paintings of well known South American artists but not everyone can afford this., so go to the malls by all means.

I agree with you La loca - why do people get so upset over art and styles that become popular - If it makes YOU happy, buy it, if not, don't worry about it! Buy art for yourself, not for what others may think!