Maybe the buyers dictated the garishness, not the artists. Artist friends of mine tell me how the whole art industry is warped by the need to make ignorant rich

Maybe the buyers dictated the garishness, not the artists. Artist friends of mine tell me how the whole art industry is warped by the need to make ignorant rich people feel smart (and believe their pieces may rise in value). Same with webdesigners laughing about their bosses who demand ugly junk, layered under inexplicable symbolism. Perhaps most of the rich really loved the effect of eye-popping colors. To the chagrin of Greek/Roman "classics" snobs who bask in the reflection of these symbols' austere reserve.