The question is not whether the child is making art but, how a society values what a child creates. Without a doubt the parents have encouraged her. Without a doubt they are benefiting from the noteriety. Not doubt they understand something about branding and marketing. Is the child being exploited? Good question but, do we know or sure? If it was your child pulling in $25K for a painting, what would you say? It is, of course, the parents making the decisions about qualities of the materials she’s using, even the paint color choices. “Here Marla, try this new color! Isn’t it so pretty?!”

‘Child Prodigy’ Film Revives Question: What Is Art?:

My Kid Could Paint That follows the painting and controversy of four-year-old Marla Olmstead’s abstract works. Some critics believe her parents encouraged, if not altered, her work.

» E-Mail This”” » Add to Del.icio.us



(Via NPR Topics: Arts & Culture.)