Review of "Small Paintings"

Title of article: Is Painting Small the Next Big Thing?
Author: Roberta Smith
Source: The New York Times
Date of Publication: April 19, 2008

In this article, abstract paintings are the subject at hand. Roberta Smith, the writer of this article, clearly states her opinion of not being in favor of abstract paintings. In fact she goes as far as stating, “Small may be beautiful, but where abstract paintings is concerned it is rarely fashionable. Big has held center stage…” It is further said that the reason that abstract paintings are a way of hiding the artist’s mistakes. Small paintings are “having a moment,” right now and may be found in the New York Museum of Contemporary Art. Various artists such as Scott Olson wanting to make paintings whose “smallness” do not rule finding new additions every time you look at it. Even though abstract paintings may be small, it forces us to truly view a picture and enjoy the canvas. As this article says, “…by shrinking the style to a manageable size. It exemplifies one of the many joys of small.”