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Tim,
You are correct. My post should have read "defer" and I have since corrected it.
MJ has an advantage. You can measure his ability. Judging doesn't apply. I don't believe art show judging should be read as any attempt to instruct artist as much as it tries to identify the best players/works/messages. I have never heard instruction said or implied by judges and find most often they say only the nicest things about the entries. Whatever painting is about it's the ability to communicate and effect a response from the viewer that matters and should be the basis for judgement. Otherwise we are talking to ourselves. Art shows are like ball games in a way. You can play or sit in the stands. (Sorry about the sports analogy)
What a catch 22 situation. If the artist is the only one who can truly understand his message (as is implied often) then it would only be fair to have each artist judge their own work. And to limit show judges to fellow artists, it would seem to me, opens an invitation to more backbiting, politics, and bias than we have today.
I guess I revert to my earlier suggestion that art shows be a place to display, enjoy, learn and celebrate. I don't know who would really care if prizes weren't given. Keep the tradition of a little wine and cheese and enjoy.
In the mean time let's be kind to the uneducated art community. One of them may be your next customer.
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