Can You Separate Art from the Artist?

Earlier this week a very concerned reader wrote in to Hadley Freeman from the style section of the Guardian asking if it was ok to buy Dior. She was obviously worried about being branded a Galliano sympathiser in light of his Antisemitic tirade and subsequent firing. For Freeman the answer was a simple ‘no’, going on to say that ‘the fancy term in fashion land for wearing a designer's clothes is "showing support", eg: "Tom Ford's such a dear friend so I always try to show support for him." Ergo, perhaps now is not the time to "show support" for Galliano’.

Image via designscene.net

I personally can’t relate to this particular dilemma as there isn’t much Dior in my wardrobe. However, it did get me thinking…

-Roman Polanski sexually assaulted a 13 year old girl in the 70s but he went on to direct great films like ‘The Pianist’

-Christian Bale just won an Oscar despite the fact that he launched an expletive filled tirade against a crew member on set a couple of years ago

-Chris Brown still has a music career despite the highly publicised physical abuse that he inflicted on Rihanna.

Yes, they all initially suffered some backlash but their scandals didn’t spell the end of their careers. I suppose a distinction is made when comments or actions are racially charged. Just look at Mel Gibson. Once one of Hollywood’s biggest players, his numerous racist rants have all but ended his career. His latest film release 'The Beaver' has been pushed back six weeks in order to distance the project from his latest scandal. If the film doesn't do well it's unlikely that his career will ever recover.

Although John Galliano has disgraced himself, he does (with the exception of Nicole Kidman’s Oscars dress) make beautiful and supremely well-tailored clothes. We were reminded of his artistry at last week’s Dior show at Paris fashion week. Is this the last we’ll see of him? I doubt it. Fellow designers, high ranking fashion insiders and celebrity clients have continued to stand by him and excuse his behaviour. Who knows? After rehab, repentance and some time, it might once again become acceptable to ‘show support’ for Galliano.

Can You Separate Art from the Artist?