You asked:
"Is it worthwhile or even possible distinguish between Low Art or popular culture and High Art or Fine art?."
My reply...absolutely, particularly when you're talking representational art. In many cases a work is obviously beginner or low-end work. Anyone (including the general public) who has gone into a gallery, worked with a dealer, consultant or visited an artist's gallery can attest to saying at one time or another, "What is this", or, "How could this person think they can paint, draw, etc."
However, when you speak of the other three arenas, that of established known artists, deceased master painters, or non-objective (abstract) art, this is another matter.
We have all been influenced by the "they said this" or "they said that" with regards to who is the entity dictating valuation.
Representational art is easier to swallow when academia, professional dealers, collectors, or the established art community make comments. Additionally, high-end art at auction has set the tone for price points.
Remember, it is not what an artist charges. In other words, it is not the priced placed on an original that dictates the value of a work. It is the price someone pays for it!!!!
Once a collector places money down for a painting, sculpture, whatever...that is how much a piece is really worth. Then and only then can anyone truly know the monetary value on an artist's work.
If an emerging artist puts a price on a painting framed of $50. and places it in a gallery, it is not actually "worth" $50 until someone purchases the piece. Even if the artist spent $300 to get their work framed...this is the standard in any business.
By the way, Pop Culture art is not necessarily low-end art. Nor is someone who claims to create Fine Art truly Fine Art.
Both can be of great value, depending on the times, the artist, and/or the demand for such art. So, your original question bears rephrasing. Reason being, what many saw years ago one artist's works were viewed as worthless, trivial, contemporary, pop culture. This artist shortly after his death was and continues to be among the most revered painters of all time. Some of his work is representational. But the bulk of it is Impressionistic to Expressionistic. Millions upon millions have been spent on works by a painter who never sold one work in his lifetime. Vincent Van Gogh who most people recognize as an "old painter" is an example of what this discussion is about.
We must evaluate and reevaluate what is sought, bought and looked for in our time. No matter who the artist is or what they are doing; whether anyone purchases their work now or not - their work is a part of our historic heritage for generations to come.
All the Best,
Diane
L. Diane Johnson Gallery PSA ISAP PAPOH
ArtSavvy Blog
L. Diane Johnson PSA ISAP PAPOH
Gallery of Intimate Landscapes
ArtSavvy Blog
Diane’s Prints at Art.com
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