Prince of trash

The deliberately corny and trashy paintings, photographs and various other works by US artist Richard Prince are esteemed by the art world's curatorial elites. They take it for granted that his work offers a metalanguage critique of popular culture, and has high cultural importance. Independently-minded critics say he is just a minor pop artist - a lesser version of, say, Richard Hamilton. And for normal, happy, well-adjusted folk who are looking at his work without an agenda, it might just be plain boring - even if all the corniness and trashiness were explained to them. Important, minor or boring; it's currently on in the beautiful surroundings of Kensington Gardens.