Date of Birth: December 5, 1938
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Date of Death: November 12, 2021
Biography
Dave Hickey was an influential American art critic and author known for his spirited and often controversial views on art and culture. Born in 1940 in Fort Worth, Texas, Hickey’s career spanned multiple decades during which he became a prominent voice in the art world. He earned his Ph.D. in English from the University of Texas at Austin and initially embarked on a career in academia, teaching at various institutions including the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Hickey’s writing style was both accessible and incisive, often challenging established norms and conventional wisdom in the art community. He authored several notable books including “Air Guitar: Essays on Art and Democracy” and “The Invisible Dragon: Four Essays on Beauty.” His essays frequently appeared in major publications like Artforum, Rolling Stone, and Harper’s Magazine. Throughout his life, Hickey received numerous accolades for his contributions to art criticism, including a MacArthur Fellowship in 2001. His work remains influential and continues to provoke thought and debate among artists, critics, and scholars alike.
5 Interesting Facts about Dave Hickey
1. Dave Hickey was awarded a MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship in 2001.
2. He was known for his outspoken criticism of the institutionalization of art.
3. Hickey once managed a rock band called “The Jades” before fully committing to art criticism.
4. His book “Air Guitar: Essays on Art and Democracy” is considered a seminal work in contemporary art criticism.
5. Hickey taught at several institutions, including the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he was well-regarded by students and faculty alike.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Dave Hickey
1. “Bad taste is real taste, of course, and good taste is the residue of someone else’s privilege.”
2. “Art is not a democracy. It’s not a free-for-all. It’s not the more the merrier.”
3. “Beauty is and always will be blue skies and open highway.”
4. “Art editors and critics – people like me – have become a courtier class.”
5. “The function of beauty in contemporary life is to normalize the things that are not normal.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Dave Hickey’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 million.
Children
Dave Hickey did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Dave Hickey on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Hickey
2. [New York Times Obituary](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/12/arts/dave-hickey-dead.html
3. [Artforum Tribute](https://www.artforum.com/news/dave-hickey-1938-2021-87259
5. [Harper’s Archive](https://harpers.org/author/davehickey/
