The World Through Art

When we look at art, we often see what the artist sees. But that’s not exactly true. The truth is that we all see different things when we look at art, and this is because what we see in a piece of work depends on who we are as individuals. When I look at a painting by Georgia O’Keeffe, I see an expression of her creativity and her imagination—a desire to create something new through paint and canvas. However, if you were to look at this same painting (and believe me when I say many people have), you might see something completely different: perhaps something about yourself or your life experiences. Maybe even both!

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF ART?

If art is your thing, chances are you’re already aware that it has many different purposes. Art can be used to tell stories, express emotions and feelings, or even just let others into your own imagination. However, one goal of art gets less attention than all the others: art can make us more comfortable around the unfamiliar.

When you look at an artistic painting or sculpture, for example, your mind is forced to fill in what isn’t there—and this process moves you out of your comfort zone and into uncertainty. If someone shows me a painting with four-colored squares arranged on an otherwise empty canvas, I know they must mean something else—but what? Am I supposed to see a face? A pattern? The feeling of being lost in space. How do I respond? What if I’m wrong?

In these moments, when we’re forced out of our daily lives and made to consider new perspectives and ideas (which might be uncomfortable), we have an opportunity for growth as individuals who can better understand ourselves by accepting ambiguity instead of avoiding it outright.

ART CAN BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER BY HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER IN NEW WAYS THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE.

Art is a way to communicate feelings, ideas, and values. Art can help us understand other cultures from around the world and even better understand ourselves through creativity.

THE DESIRE FOR HUMAN CONNECTION.

Art is a way to connect with the people or things in our world, and it’s a way to connect with yourself in surprising ways. It can sometimes feel uncomfortable, but that feeling is part of learning more about yourself.

Art is a bridge between the past, present, and future. The desire for human connection has been around since humans first existed!

ART IS A WINDOW INTO ANOTHER PERSON’S LIFE.

A piece of art can be a window into another person’s life, experiences and perspective. It allows you to see things from their culture through their lens.

If you’re in New York City and looking for some great art, I recommend checking out MoMA or the Whitney Museum of American Art (my favorite).

ART AS A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE.

Art is a universal language because it is a language that is understood by people from all cultures.

Art can be used to express ideas and feelings, and you don’t need to be able to speak the same language as someone else for them to understand what you’re saying. So how do we know that art communicates ideas?

ART AS A TOOL FOR COMMUNICATION.

Art can be used to communicate ideas to people who cannot hear or speak and those who cannot see.

For example, art can be used to express an idea that cannot be explained in words. By using visual imagery instead of words, we can communicate ideas that cannot otherwise be conveyed through language alone. The power of this form of communication lies in its ability to transcend cultural barriers and create connections between disparate mindsets with ease–in other words: Art makes us better communicators!

THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN IMAGINATION AND SKILL.

Art is the expression of an individual’s perceptions and imaginings. When you use any art medium to tell your story, you are sharing with others how you see the world and how you feel about it. You can also learn from other people’s stories through their choices of mediums and themes.

Art opens up new possibilities for understanding one another as humans who share this planet. This is particularly important now as global communities come together in ways we have not seen before—from cultural festivals to social media—there are more opportunities than ever before for connecting across cultures and borders!

IN CONCLUSION.

Art is a powerful tool that can connect us to people from all around the world. It doesn’t matter if you’re making art yourself or just looking at it; there’s something in it for everyone. Does it spark conversations, controversy, and emotions? Yes, every time. You don’t have to be an “artist” to appreciate art, and we all have some kind of creative measure within us, all be it, not always used to create a piece or series of artistic expression, but instead, a way to find the solution to a problem in any field. Creativity is powerful, and anything is possible when used in any way that matters to the betterment of the world and the many cultures within it.

~ Yours truly, P. Dale (Patsy), Creatives Faith Blog