Life Versus Art

Forty years ago, when I was an art student, I had a professor of art history who spoke words that have never left me--and have never ceased to challenge me: “A man’s art lives apart from himself.” He was referring to certain classical painters who were scoundrels. It’s not an easy principle to apply. Assessing the value of a person’s creativity without assessing the value of the person tears the mind in half.

I think Robert Hilburn did an admirable job with the article on Ike Turner (“A Big Wheel Turns Again,” July 8). He allowed himself to be torn and yet retain balance in the reporting.

GERRY ELLENSON

Anaheim

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After reading Hilburn’s article, I can relate to Ike’s feelings as a person as well as an entertainer. It must be very frustrating to him to have had such an impact on much of the music today and not be able to be accepted as the true legend and performer that he is.

I bought his new album, “Here and Now,” and it’s been a long time since I’ve heard some great original stuff like this. On a scale of 1 to 10, I rate it a perfect 10.

LESTER W. JACK

Houston

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I believe Ike revealed that his core values about domestic violence have not changed, despite the passage of time and the enormous toll his practice of it has taken on his career. Saying that he did no more to Tina than he would mind somebody doing to his own mother is hardly going to repair his image or restart his career.

STEVEN D. KLEIN

Los Angeles