When I saved this Guardian article about painter Aubrey Williams (new to me) back in May, the write-up about him must have irritated me, because I made this note:
The least interesting art journalism is that which marinates in detail about the artist. The painting should do the talking; technique and studio practice are relevant. The rest is art journalism — put it in a book or something.
Yes, I repeated “art journalism.” Clumsy and circular, but stet.
Re-reading the article now I find this part interesting:
He initially came to Britain to study agricultural engineering at Leicester University, and his interests in ecological matters and the ancient cultures of the Mayan, Aztec and Olmec cultures [sic] was [sic] a regular feature in his art.
Still, irritation persists. The journalist wrote “cultures… of the cultures” and “interests… was.”
I live in Texas and devote much of my time to easel painting on an amateur basis. I stream a lot of music, mostly jazz, throughout the day. I like to read and memorize poetry.
EthicalDative 
Writing Not Sterling, But Some Nice Painting
Aubrey Williams: Maya Series Chac Mool II. Photograph: Jonathan Greet/© Estate of Aubrey Williams/ Jonathan Greet. [Guardian caption and illustratiion]
When I saved this Guardian article about painter Aubrey Williams (new to me) back in May, the write-up about him must have irritated me, because I made this note:
The least interesting art journalism is that which marinates in detail about the artist. The painting should do the talking; technique and studio practice are relevant. The rest is art journalism — put it in a book or something.
Yes, I repeated “art journalism.” Clumsy and circular, but stet.
Aubrey Williams: Sun and Earth IV 1963. Photograph: © Estate of Aubrey Williams/ Jonathan Greet. [Guardian caption and illustration]
Re-reading the article now I find this part interesting:
He initially came to Britain to study agricultural engineering at Leicester University, and his interests in ecological matters and the ancient cultures of the Mayan, Aztec and Olmec cultures [sic] was [sic] a regular feature in his art.
Still, irritation persists. The journalist wrote “cultures… of the cultures” and “interests… was.”
Shostakovich Quartet No 5 Opus 92 – Aubrey Williams. Photograph: © Estate of Aubrey Williams/ Jonathan Greet. [Guardian caption and illustration]
(Lanre Bakare, “‘Ahead of his time’: Guyanese artist gets London show amid reappraisal,” The Guardian, 5-19-25)
(c) 2025 JMN — EthicalDative. All rights reserved
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About JMN
I live in Texas and devote much of my time to easel painting on an amateur basis. I stream a lot of music, mostly jazz, throughout the day. I like to read and memorize poetry.