Be You-Nique (2)

Damien Hirst is one of the most prolific artists in the world, probably the richest artist in the world, and perhaps one of the most scorned artists in the world. He’s put down for lots of reasons – many critics blame him for the decline of contemporary art (Hirst’s art includes dead animals, and lots of paintings of spots) and consider his work tacky and banal.

I don’t know, as I’m no art critic. But here’s what bothers me. Damien Hirst outsources most of his art. He hires average artists, trains them, and then has them do art for him. It produces big numbers. There are about 1,500 of his spot paintings out there (of which Hirst himself painted about 25), and Hirst is worth about $300 million. But … is it art?

And I think my issue is more with the guys working for Hirst than for Hirst himself. I think (hope) I’d rather be a starving artist producing my own art, then a paid one doing someone else’s art.

Take a look at your life. Are you living your life, or really are you just living someone else’s life?
And pastors, take a look at your church. Are you the church God intended for you to be, or are you just living out some other church’s vision?