Before 1967, paintings traditionally were painted in a specific category. John Baldessari -an American Conceptual artist- believed the world of art was losing uniqueness and diversity. ‘In 1967, Baldessari decided to burn his paintings to mark a liberation from the tradition of painting and opened a new generation of encompassing vision painting'(TheGuardian). In 1967, John Baldessari exhibited his ‘Wrong’ series which broke the ‘rules of art’.

Many viewers describe John Baldessari’s ‘Wrong’ series as “an image with poor composition juxtaposed by the text ‘wrong’ below the photograph”(MVHS IB ART). Many researchers mocked Balderssari’s new series because it disobeyed the rules of thirds, golden ratio, and symmetry. However, it is important to note that the former arguments do not consider the purpose of Baldessari’s series. Many perspectives view the release of the ‘Wrong’ series brought new trends, diversity, creativity, and a new form of “Pure beauty” in paintings again. John Baldessari once said, “I will not make boring art”(Meier Allison).

In my perspective, Baldessari’s new method of abstract painting has led to modernization and revolution in the world of art today. Baldessari’s critical approach to conceptual art brought about the evolution of painting and aesthetic beauty. Influenced by Baldessari’s approach to art, young artists continue to explore new forms of art today. So, I believe a ‘bad’ picture can be ‘great’.

Work Cited:

Baldessari, John “Wrong” Photograph. Dragon’s Exchange, ISB. Accessed 22nd August 2024, https://dx.isb.cn/dash/#/classroom/648607/sections/lesson/344114/page/344116/edit, 22 August 2024.

Meier, Allison. “Why John Baldessari Burned His Own Art – JSTOR Daily.” JSTORDaily, 23 Jan. 2020, daily.jstor.org/why-john-baldessari-burned-his-own-art/. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025. ‌

“You Have to Know the Rules to Break Them: What Is Compositionally Wrong with This Picture by John Baldessari?” MVHS IB ART, 2016,mvhsibart.weebly.com/ib-art-blog/you-have-to-know-the-rules-to-break-them-what-is-compositionally-wrong-with-this-picture-by-john-baldessari. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025. ‌

“John Baldessari: The Giant Prankster Who Torched Artworld Pretension.” TheGuardian, 6 Jan. 2020,www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/jan/06/john-baldessari-godfather-conceptual-art-appreciation.