The cultural imperative of abstract painting
and “artistic” howling begins to give way
to skill-based painting in spots around 1980.
The former holds a prominent place in the pantheon,
being the darling of decorators, investors,
and a burgeoning craft-for-entertainment industry.
Art Departments in major universities
continue to push thought-based work
through to graduation
largely because
art
in
the first
three-quarters
of the 20th century
left behind a desert in it's
cash-fueled screaming/streaming roadshow.
The culture lacked knowledgeable instructors.
Photography and computers put image-making
in the hands of the common person and children.
The desire for a stiff challenge came to the easel
along with yearning for meaning and poetry
in the quiet of the studio.
Figuration was born anew.