if art really matters

hmmm, I agree with you on all points bar one, art need not be inspirational, (one could argue against beauty also). Much of my work is written in a manner to elicit the very opposite.

Art needs to be emotive; inspiration is simply what the artless lack.

My humble opinion.

Mos.

PS.... Then again, depends on what definition of the root word inspire one applies to the question. Some would say I inspire dread!!! :P