The vexing topic of child prodigies

KATE Legge is right, child prodigies do vex us and her cover story on “professional painter” Aelita Andre is sure to divide readers.

KATE Legge is right, child prodigies do vex us and her cover story this week on four-year-old "professional painter" Aelita Andre is sure to divide readers.

There will be those who applaud the opportunity Aelita has been given, like the contributor to an online blog who said: “What a gift it would be to be allowed the space, resources and freedom to create with such pure, raw creativity. What a lucky, talented and beautiful child.”

And there will be those who cry exploitation, or lament a lost childhood, or compare Aelita’s paintings to their own child’s creations.

The questions go on: is it art if it is devoid of meaning and reflection? Is a childish doodle art? If the work has a commercial value, does that make it art?

We’re not here to pass judgment but it’s worth noting that Kate found Aelita to be a “delightful, healthy, curious, bubbly girl.”

Ultimately, that’s all that really matters.