Separating Art from the Artist

This is a subject that has remained pertinent for as long as art has been made. Whether it be through great paintings that move us in a personal way, great music that speaks to us and makes distilled previously unexplainable emotions, or great works of cinema and literature that have the ability to suck us into fantastical worlds and make us care about fictional characters, the best works of art can move us, perhaps even change us, so what happens when the artist behind such incredible creations is someone that you find to be repugnant in one way or another? This is something that no doubt everyone has experienced in one form or another, and I am certainly no exception. When I gaze into the cubist works of Pablo Piccasso, I find them to be strangely comforting, the blocky textures making a whole image turns on emotions and feelings I have a hard time describing, yet how can I enjoy such beautiful works when the man behind them was an avowed marxist who gave his support to a system that trampled millions under the bootheel of tyranny, as well as an infamous misogynist whose relationships with women were often fraught with violence? How can I enjoy such masterpieces of cinema as “Chinatown” and “The Pianist” when the man responsible for such films is a convicted rapist? How can I listen to such classic hits like “Billie Jean” and “Thriller” when the man behind these songs was a known pedophile? Is it possible to enjoy genuinely great works of art when those behind the art are seriously flawed? Would we just be endorsing those people whom we want nothing to do with by consuming and enjoying their art? Is it even possible to separate art from artist, since the art, by virtue of its having been created by said artist, is inexorably linked to them? While it may seem like a tough ordeal, I believe that the answer is yes, that it is perfectly possible to enjoy and consume works of art independently of those who created them. We all take our own meaning from certain works of art, whether they be paintings, literature, music, or movies, and they have the ability to affect us in their own ways, and what we take from these works will be different for each of us. When I get lost in a cubist Piccasso painting, I ascribe my own meaning and my own enjoyment of that painting independent of Piccasso himself. I enjoy it for how it makes me feel, not because I necessarily like the man who painted it. Similarly, when I consume great works of cinema or literature, I derive my enjoyment from them for their gripping stories and engaging characters, not necessarily because I care who wrote or directed it. While an admiration for the artist can certainly help in your enjoyment of their work, it is not required. Derive your own meaning and appreciation from these works. Let them touch you in a way unique to your sensibilities, because in the end, the whole purpose of art is to touch us, to make us feel certain emotions and make the complexities and burdens of life more bearable. I don’t have to agree with Piccasso’s political views to enjoy and find meaning in his art; as long as a work of art means something to us, we should enjoy it, for life is already full of trouble and heartache, and finding our escape from these troubles can go a long way towards helping us get through life easier.