Beautiful paintings & ugly paintings

I had an online tutorial with my painting tutor, June. It was the second one and although at times I couldn’t show her what I wanted with the unfamiliar app, it went smoothly.

We discussed my latest work - a painting in the same size as the recent work titled ‘Elements 暗 (dark)’ which I think will make a good contrasting pair. June asked me if I mind the fact that I create beautiful paintings - an interesting question. I told her that I would mind if my paintings are just beautiful and nothing more. I would like them to be interesting, intriguing and even puzzling. Just like I find people boring if they have beautiful appearance but nothing more.

Elements 明 (light), Acrylic on board, 120x120cm

Then she subtly and cleverly suggested to try and create an ugly painting. But what is an ugly painting? Are there any paintings people unanimously find ugly? We talked about Francis Bacon and, yes, come to think of it, some of Lucian Freud’s or Shani Rhys James could be described as ugly. They do it on purpose, though to unsettle, disturb and make you think. I feel June is trying to save me from falling in the trap of making a beautiful picture for its own sake. I interpreted her suggestion as ‘Beauty appeals to a wide audience but is it what you want? Think about it.’