Art is Not Just for Artists

There seems to be an air of segregation presented in today’s art world. It is believed to be made up of an exclusive group of individuals that eat, breathe and sleep everything that is indicative of the arts. They view the people outside of the artistic community as either uneducated or devoid of taste. But on the other side of the extreme: you have the “non artistic” groups who tend the see the art world to be full of pretentious and nonsensical stoners that need to get a real job! They do not understand how a line drawn through a circle on a canvas could merit top dollar bids or even be considered as innovative.

With these two extreme beliefs it may seem impossible for there to be a happy medium, but the majority of the opinionated straddle the border on both sides of the fence. This group bridges the gap between the painter and the cynical; making way for the appreciator.

Art is an important part society that originally belonged to the public. For hundreds of years, the church employed painters like Michelangelo, Grunewald, and Bernini to depict scenes from the Bible in order to educate the largely illiterate population in religion. The paintings created a sense of escapism, entertainment, and education for common people. It created community and culture for the places it was produced in. It has also helped define eras of history and gauge our political pulse.

In today’s day and age, there are a million ways to stay entertained, and unfortunately the traditional practice is not to first visit a museum or gallery for fun. Walking around appreciating other people’s creations may not seem like a pleasurable pastime when there is only so much free time given to a busy individual. But take the chance to educate yourself beyond the mundane. In most cases, collectors may not be an aesthetic creator, but seeing the history before your eyes can be intriguing.

For the artistic novice: you don’t have to understand everything to share your views. If there is a certain piece that interest you, read up on it and find out about the movement the artist painted in or the history of the artist. The more knowledgeable you are the more interesting the art may become to you. You may go from saying, “Why did Miró paint like a kid?” to “It’s amazing how Miró re-imagined image making!” So, give yourself a chance to learn something new, and remember: appreciating art is different than liking art.

If you are an art knowledgeable: invite those around you to appreciate art in their own way. Take the time to explain the process of the medium chosen or when the artist originated. This can turn the observer for being curious about the artwork to becoming invested in the artwork.

The artistic world doesn’t belong to those who only understand, it is a human expression that exists for the betterment and enrichment of humanity as a whole. It is not meant to be hoarded, but shared, experienced, and allowed to inspire those who appreciate it.