Why Your Five Year Old Could Not Have Done That

An enjoyable and thought-provoking book in which Susie Hodge explains why modern art is not, and never has been, child’s play.

In the past, an artist's importance was based on their ability to accurately depict the real world. However, with the rise of photography, artists began creating more expressive and immediate works. Critics often mistook this lack of technical skill for a lack of sophistication, dismissing modern art as child's play. Susie Hodge examines 100 works that have attracted criticism, showing how each one is a logical extension of their time. These works, from Damien Hirst to Andy Warhol, have unique cultural contexts and are important to the history of art. Hodge's book will deepen your understanding of modern art and enhance future gallery visits.