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Great Art Divides the Audience
(Or how not to feel bad when others don’t appreciate your work—or what you hang on your walls.)

In one of my favorite books, The Creative Act, legendary music producer Rick Rubin writes, “Great art divides the audience.” That line really stuck with me, like a little gift—one of those truths that’s so obvious once you hear it.

Art is deeply subjective—it is not meant to please everyone. What one person finds powerful or beautiful, another might pass right by. Our individual histories, tastes, and experiences shape how we respond. So, when a piece of art doesn't resonate with someone, that doesn’t necessarily say anything about the quality of the work—or the viewer, for that matter.

Art that plays it safe—whether through familiar styles or easy subjects—might be pleasant and easy to like, but it’s often forgettable. Truly impactful work tends to take risks. It may challenge conventions, push boundaries, or provoke strong emotional responses—even confusion or discomfort. That’s not failure; that’s engagement. We want people to keep looking at our art to see what we are saying with our artistic voice.

We’ve all had moments where a piece of art made us bristle or feel something unexpected. And yet, those are often the works we remember. They linger. They start conversations. We keep looking.  As Rubin puts it: “If everybody likes your work, you haven’t gone far enough.”

This idea resonates with me personally. My own paintings don’t fit neatly into any of the traditional “isms” like realism, impressionism, or expressionism. (Ironically, most of those styles were dismissed in their own day!)  Right now, my work could be labeled “contemporary”—and that’s fine by me. I like that it’s recognizably mine. It appeals to viewers who appreciate a level of abstraction, a refined use of colour, and texture.  And I’m okay with the fact that it’s not for everyone because here’s the thing: It is freeing.

It is freeing as an artist to  realize that you don’t have to make work that everyone likes. You just have to love what you make, stay true to your vision, and keep growing. If some people don’t “get it,” maybe that means you’re actually on to something.

 

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