In his 1970 novel, Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, author Tom Robbins attributes a quote to the late 19th Century painter Paul Gauguin, “The ugly can be beautiful, the pretty never.”

It’s been more than twenty years since I first heard this quote and while it may not have been Gauguin who said it, the message still resonates with me. It also serves to illustrate why the arts can be challenging for others.

In art, faith, and life, some of our greatest moments grow from conflict or pain. Moses was believed to have a speech impediment but was chosen to lead fellow Jews out of slavery as a spokesperson to Pharoah. Early critics likened cubism to “an explosion in a shingle factory.” In the performing arts, angst is often a catalyst for musicians and playwrights to create memorable, albeit challenging new works. Incredible acts of humanity have occurred during devastating wars.

So, what’s wrong with ‘pretty?’ Is it too safe? Does something pretty fail to challenge us intellectually or emotionally? Is making something pretty falling short as an artist? Tell that to the producers of sold-out Disney musicals on Broadway.

There isn’t a single right answer to whether being pretty disqualifies something as art. It’s a tough dilemma. I do believe that good art will do more than match your sofa or simply entertain. Good art that lasts often touches us on equal levels of intellect and emotion. We should feel something while also being given an opportunity to consider our place in this world. 

What do you think?