AN ARTISTS PERSPECTIVE
EGW GLOBAL MAGAZINE
AUSTRALIA
Galleries can be intimidating and art confusing, I know. In a world of rapidly changing technology and quick swipes to the left, art can seem less exciting for some than the latest download or Bitcoin price. But art is living history. It tells us stories of generations, both past and present. It surrounds us in our daily lives and has the ability to make us feel connected and grounded in a way that technology could never do. It's meaningful, powerful, emotive and inspiring, so how can you experience art on a deeper level and feel these things, too.
There are many ways to connect with art, so there is no wrong or right way. Simply feeling moved or inspired, looking at how the composition was made or reading one artist's statement after the other are all amazing ways; here are a few more things you could think about to get a little deeper.
Who is the artist?
Artists express how they perceive the world in a myriad of ways. Learning about the artist can lead to a fascination with their life and their work or simply give you an insight into how and why they create the work they do. Often a reflection of the time they live in and the influences of the past, artists find inspiration in many things such as nature, philosophy, religion, personal experiences, social and political issues, abstract concepts, and so on. Understanding the artist often enriches your experience and thoughts about the artwork and gives an insight into life and history right before you.
-Female Artists
If you're viewing an artwork made by a female artist, keep in mind that up until the 19th century,
females weren't allowed to study art. Before then and even after, for a female to be making art,
especially art seen in museums and galleries, they were either an incredible exception to the rule,courageous, or heavily criticised. Even today, the percentage of living female artists represented in galleries and museums worldwide is astonishingly low.
Artemisia Gentileschi - Mary Magdalen, 1813-20. Oil on canvas, 81 x 105 cm - Private collection.
When was the piece made?
Thinking about when the piece was made is a significant insight into understanding art. Not only does art reflect the time it's made in, but it also often nods to the past. History influences the future, so think about the art movements leading up to this point. Have they influenced the work? Does it reflect the world the artist currently lives or lived in, or has the work been pivotal in changing history, and if so, how was it received at the time.
- Impressionism
The invention of photography and the collapsable metal paint tube in the 19th century meant artists could suddenly capture and crop images and study the effects of light like never before. The portable paint tube meant artists could keep paint fresh and travel easily; painting outdoors 'en plein air' changed painting completely. Going against classical painting and the Academie, artists Monet, Renoir, Degas, Morisot, Pissarro, Sisley and Cézanne, among others, exhibited these new works at their independent exhibitions in Paris. Critics mocked and ridiculed their work, and the press was savage, insulting them with the term ‘Impressionism , which, as we know, is one of the most influential art movements in Western history today.
Claude Monet, Impression, Sunrise, 1872, oil on canvas, 48 x 63 cm (Musée Marmottan, Paris)
How are you viewing the work?
Thanks to technology, yep, I'm giving it a big nod here; viewing artworks from the past and present, from anywhere in the world, is possible and very impressive. Viewing art via technology has many benefits, such as education and making art accessible to all.
But with all that said, I firmly believe that if you get the chance, nothing is more remarkable than seeing how an artist uses colour, marks, texture and materials in real life. Viewing work in its surroundings, seeing how is displayed and who it's displayed with. Feeling the gravitas of its size, being surprised by how it makes you feel, allowing your curiosity to peak and engaging all of your senses are pleasures that viewing art in person can only give.
Joan Mitchell, Untitled, 196
Whatever your experience with art is, I hope to inspire you to spend more time with it. Let your imagination run wild and enjoy the pleasures and curiosities art can bring. If you find yourself in a digital rabbit hole, mix it up with a little dopamine hit of art and see if that brings any awe or amazement or, at the very least, provokes a thought or, dare I say it, a feeling. Thinking about art and the artists who make it can bring a richer experience and a deeper connection to the world we live in and the world before us and hopefully inspire you to create, connect and inspire, too.
