Is Art Self Abuse?

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The Guardian on line has a review of British artist Tracy Emin’s latest show at the White Cube Gallery, “Those Who Suffer Love”. Peter Conrad does the honours, you can read "Confessions of a saucy seamstress" here, and although snarky from time to time he does raise an this idea at the end of his piece.

“Perhaps Emin is at last admitting that art, at least for her, is a species of self-abuse.” Thinking about the nature of art as opposed to picture making it could be strongly contended that Emin is not alone. Even when the work is not as graphically sexual as Emin’s the process of the artist bearing their inner most thoughts and feelings is said to be the hallmark of great art. (Consider Bacon, consider Goodwin)

In the words of Ed Winkleman, “consider this an open thread” and add your two bob’s worth.