Half of Brits admit they’re ‘clueless’ about art as they struggle to name van Gogh paintings, survey finds
HALF of Brits admit they’re “clueless” about art as they struggle to name van Gogh paintings, a survey finds.
A poll of 2,000 adults found that 46 per cent know next to nothing about legendary painters or their notable works.
As many as 68 per cent revealed they couldn’t name any paintings by Pablo Picasso, similarly 39 per cent couldn’t name any by Vincent van Gogh.
And 86 per cent couldn’t identify artworks by Jackson Pollock.
Prior to taking part in the study, 43 per cent hadn’t heard of Henri Matisse, 54 per cent weren’t familiar with Edvard Munch, and 78 per cent didn’t know who Edward Hopper was.
The research was commissioned by DS Automobiles as the brand reveals a series of art tours featuring the locations of “public art” – statues, sculptures, murals, graffiti, and more, which can be seen for free.
This comes as the study found 55 per cent admitted entrance fees or admission costs put them off visiting local art galleries, cultural attractions, or events.
It also emerged 33 per cent aren’t clued up as to whereabouts of local art initiatives, galleries, or public art installations.
Julie David, managing director of DS Automobiles UK, said: “When travelling, it’s often easy to stop and take in your surroundings, running the risk of missing out on some of the accessible cultural experiences that the UK has to offer.
“We hope that our new Art Tour routes offer drivers the opportunity to experience more of the cultural experiences that the UK has to offer, whilst bringing a little bit of the French Art of Travel to the roads of the UK.”
The study also found 46 per cent haven’t heard of ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’, 53 per cent aren’t familiar with ‘The Starry Night’, and 62 per cent can’t name any pieces by Banksy.
More than six in 10 (63 per cent) also don’t know the names of any Andy Warhol works, and 74 per cent don’t know any by Rembrandt.
And while 38 per cent are keen to improve their knowledge of the subject, the findings don’t necessarily mean those polled aren’t interested in or appreciative or art.
Perhaps more significantly, 61 per cent believe art – particularly “public art” – is important to the cultural identity of local communities.
More than half (53 per cent) said it has the power to change perceptions of a particular village, town, city, or region.
Further to this, the study carried out through OnePoll found the appeal of art is such that 25 per cent of adults have purposefully taken a detour during a drive just to see an area’s street art.
And further underlining their love of this method of creativity, 55 per cent said public art installations, such as murals or sculptures in their community “enhance” their day.
10 artworks UK adults haven't heard of
The percentage indicates number who haven’t heard of this piece
- ‘Nighthawks’ by Edward Hopper – 87 per cent
- ‘A Bar at the Folies-Bergère’ by Édouard Manet – 80 per cent
- ‘American Gothic’ by Grant Wood – 77 per cent
- ‘The Birth of Venus’ by Sandro Botticelli – 66 per cent
- ‘The Kiss’ by Gustav Klimt – 63 per cent
- ‘The Starry Night’ by Vincent van Gogh – 53 per cent
- ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ by Johannes Vermeer – 46 per cent
- ‘The Scream’ by Edvard Munch – 31 per cent
- ‘The Last Supper’ by Leonardo da Vinci – 30 per cent
- ‘Sunflowers’ by Vincent van Gogh – 27 per cent