What was to be abstract

I understand that painting is a difficult art form to master, and can take years of training and practice before one can produce a significant piece; however, that is no excuse for taking shortcuts and cheating. I am, of course, speaking of abstract art.  Abstract art is cheating. 

Instead of the artist owning the responsibility to decide on an image and then painting the image so everyone can recognize it, they just put any old mixture of paint on the canvas, throw it out to the public and say, "Here you go, figure it out, feel however you want about it, just give me a million dollars." 

From time to time though, I cannot help but fall into a feelings trap with certain pieces.  For example, I had never heard of Zao Wou-ki until I read his obituary a few weeks ago. There was a link to some of his work and the piece below trapped me.  I've spent what adds up to hours staring at it over the last few weeks and just when I think I'm done, there is a perspective shift and there is a whole new painting pulling me in.  It is calming, haunting, hopeful, and sad (like an old Disney movie).

But, it is still cheating. And Zao should be ashamed of himself for not painting horses or old boats or something. 


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