From a daily commuter with a curiosity for creativity to a celebrated critic whose judging skills now help select winners for prestigious awards like the Jackson’s Art Prize, ING’s Discerning Eye, and the Art Gemini Prize, Tabish Khan’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Which is why, in 2025, we’re thrilled to have Tabish join us as a judge for the ClassBento Awards.
Over the past 12 years, Tabish has carved out a niche by making art accessible to everyone, regardless of their background–a mission we deeply share at ClassBento. Today, he’s a full-time art critic, writer, and speaker, known for his down-to-earth approach and commitment to inclusivity in the art world.
Join us as we chat to Tabish to explore his unique path, insights on the evolving role of art criticism, and his advice for those looking to break into the art world.
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I got started in art criticism and writing by…
Spotting advertisements for the likes of Tate Modern, The National Gallery and other major institutions during my commute to my corporate job. I was intrigued and started visiting them even though I had no background or contacts in art. I enjoyed visiting exhibitions and a cousin suggested I start writing a blog.
I then pitched my writing to a few publications, Londonist being the first to take a chance on me, and now 12 years later my reviews occasionally appear on those same posters. It’s great to see my journey come full circle and inspire other non-art lovers to develop a passion and potentially an art career.
I kept the corporate job running alongside my art critic career and it was only one year ago that I finally left the corporate world to become a full-time critic, writer and speaker. Not coming from an art or journalist background has been a struggle, and it still is, but I’m a lot happier where I am now.
Art criticism has changed a lot…
At one point they were gatekeepers, deciding who the next big thing will be and I’m grateful that’s not the case any more as our new focus is about opening more doors for artists. Critical appraisal is now one route, while gallery representation, winning prizes, and a strong presence on social media are all routes to artistic success. Critics now act as guides suggesting the exhibitions our readers should go and see, and so work to help new and emerging artists!
My writing is driven by…
My love for art. I love art and want others to see great exhibitions and that’s what I’m trying to do through my writing. I don’t use ‘artspeak’ because I want art to be accessible to everyone. I’m well aware that art is still seen as an elitist pursuit with people of colour and working-class backgrounds often feeling excluded from art and galleries. Of course, I can’t change that alone but I must write in a way, and for publications, that has broader appeal beyond just those who visit galleries regularly.
My rule for selecting which exhibitions to attend is…
They have three seconds to make an impression on me otherwise the email gets deleted! Once it gets my attention, I add it to my list to visit and then I’ll pop in when I’m next local. It always helps when there are many exhibitions close to each other as that allows me to see many shows in one day, so gallery hubs like Mayfair and Fitzrovia give me lots of options to write about.
Art means to me…
New concepts and perspectives – conversations with artists, curators and other arts professionals are always teaching me new ways of looking at things. Inspiration from exhibitions can stem from ideas, cultural heritages or histories that I did not know about and I’ll learn new things every day as part of my role as an art critic. It’s why I think I have the best job in the world and it keeps me going after 12 years of writing!
The qualities I look for when judging art awards are…
Someone whose work is inspiring and resonates with others, while also standing out from the rest of the competition. I’ve mainly judged artworks and it’s both the finished artwork and also the artist’s story that both need to jump out at me.
I ensure fairness and inclusivity in the judging process by…
Being in a diverse panel! I get invited to judge a lot of prizes and I’ve noticed how judging panels have improved significantly over the last five years and most prizes now realise an all-white judging panel is no longer acceptable.
Once you have a diverse panel it’s important to listen to my fellow judges. Each person brings their particular expertise and background to the discussion and it’s important to consider everyone’s views before coming to a mutually agreed upon conclusion or at least a democratic vote if we can’t all agree.
Today artists face a lot of challenges…
It’s tough being an artist today as the market is saturated and standing out is hard among the thousands of other contemporary artists. The cost of living crisis adds to the difficulty given most artists, particularly those just starting, struggle to make sufficient money and they have to pay rent on potentially a home and a studio.
Affordable studio spaces and the ability to put on solo and group exhibitions in affordable or free-to-use temporary spaces are what we need. I live in London and it’s become so expensive now that it’s driving many artists and writers out of the city.
My advice for artists starting out is...
Persistence is always key – it’s the least sexy word but being successful in any field requires persistence. The people who keep creating no matter what and doing so with passion are the ones who ultimately succeed – though what success looks like will differ for each artist. The reality is many people will need to take second jobs but still retaining the energy to create art whenever you can is key to becoming a successful artist.
There’s a well-known saying that you should say yes as much as you can until you can afford to say no, and that applies to most people starting out as artists. Be present, in person and on social media. Show as much as you can through group shows, and applying to open calls as all these are great at building up your profile and presence on the art scene. Of course, there are time and costs to the above and that’s important to bear in mind when deciding where to focus your efforts.
To stay up-to-date with the art world you’ve got to…
Visit as many exhibitions in galleries and museums as possible – one year I kept a count and visited over a thousand. Seeing art you don’t like is also important as I need to know what’s popular even if I don’t plan to write about it.
I also speak to many people in art – critics, curators, gallery owners and artists – to find out what they consider to be top artists and interesting new gallery spaces that are opening. Social media is also a big help as Instagram has made it a lot easier to discover new artists.
For me to be an effective writer and critic, I need to keep an open mind to all new works and trends. It’s important to have an opinion but it’s also equally important to allow your opinion to be swayed and for it to evolve.
My advice to aspiring art critics is…
You’ll never work as hard but it’ll be worth it. I don’t come from wealth so I had to work in the corporate sector for over 10 years alongside being an art critic to pay my bills and I finally made the leap to full-time critic a year ago. I have a lot less income now, but I’m a lot happier.
Nearly every opportunity has come from people I’ve met and built a connection with. Talk to people, be genuinely interested in what they say and don’t think about what they can do for you there and then. Ultimately those connections will pay dividends in the long run and people always remember those who are helpful to them when they’re starting out.
If I could curate an exhibition I’d include…
The many emerging artists I know who haven’t yet made it to being a full-time artist – supporting early-career artists is one of the highlights of my job!
If we’re dreaming big then I’d love to host a free exhibition of every major masterpiece that’s been lost, stolen or destroyed, re-uniting them so people can see them again.
My favourite art hidden gem in London is…
The Bethlem Museum of the Mind, a museum dedicated to those who’ve suffered from mental health problems situated within a working hospital. It’s hard to get to in Bromley, but it’s worth it and doesn’t nearly get as much love as it should.
Tabish's story is a testament to how dedication and a willingness to learn can lead to unexpected, fulfilling paths. He is living proof that you don’t need an art degree to make waves in the art world—just a love for what you do and a lot of determination. His insights are gold for anyone looking to break into the scene, whether you’re an artist trying to get your work out there or someone just discovering a new passion.
His story also shows us that art critics aren’t just the naysayers they used to be. Critics today can actually help artists get noticed and connect with wider audiences. They’re more like guides, shining a spotlight on new talent and helping the art world feel more welcoming!
So, if you’re looking for some inspiration, or tips on navigating the art world, Tabish’s journey is a great place to start. We can’t wait to see what he brings to the ClassBento Awards this year!
