The recent death of Gore Vidal made headlines across North America (of course), which may account for why I somehow missed an even more monumental passing, that of art critic and defender of a pure and meaningful modernism in art, Robert Hughes.
Hughes was interviewed a few years back by Eleanor Wachtel (Writers and Company), and it is a conversation I have listened to many times, both for the deep humour of Hughes' character that is so deftly drawn out by Wachtel, but also to hear first hand his often tragic life story that never diminished the brilliance with which he approached his chief passion, namely the understanding and celebration of human artistic achievement.
This piece, published in the Guardian, is a good primer if you know little of Hughes.
And for a little more, watch this. You won't regret the time spent.
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