If there's anything that repels the general public from art, it's the inflated language that so often accompanies it. Artists should let their work speak for itself, and not pad it out with self-praising verbiage - and the last thing they should do is let witless publicists and smoothy-chopped public relations people anywhere near it. There is a rather nice painting on the gallery today; I'm perfectly prepared to admire it, or not, in its own right. But its painter suggests that it represents - let us not go into detail lest we identify it - a certain struggle between man and the elements. Well - it just doesn't. It's just a painting. That's it, and no more. It does not stand for any eternal verities. It does not represent some elemental struggle. It's just paint on canvas. Artists may think their work represents all sorts of things, if they really want to, but it's best kept to themselves and not proclaimed in the title of their works. There was a posting a few days ago in which the artist proclaimed himself - somewhat like Dalí - a new discovery for the art-world, one whose work would force its way into the attentions of the public and be revered and admired by generations yet to come. Well; perhaps. And then again, perhaps not. He may yet be disappointed. In fact, I'm fairly sure he will be. But I should rather indulge his megalomania, if only because it's so self-flatteringly absurd, than tolerate the vapourings of rather more sane people who tell us that their work represents .... shall we say ... man's struggle against the elements;or something similar. You know - it really doesn't. And if it does, it just isn't for you to say it. Paint; and shut up - leave promotion to your agent or gallery, but don't demean yourself by slithering down into the commercial sluice, eh?