Art is everywhere and it has been around for a long time. Some of the first examples are cave paintings made by our distant ancestors. Many appear to depict figures hunting animals for food and clothing. There are also examples of the artist making an image of his or her hand on a cave wall. These are especially poignant when you observe them. So, the motivation to create this early art would appear to convey a message or record of what was important in the lives of our ancestors. And hunting animals for food and clothing was one of the most crucial. The images of hands are more esoteric as they might convey a message to the future saying, “I am here.” We nearly all want to leave a legacy of some sort and these early works of art may have been the beginning of this practice.
So, there are two reasons why art has become a necessary part of life. This might be a bold statement to make especially as I am a lover of fine art. But, I believe that it is intrinsic to us as a people and to our society. Why should this be? Well, art is a form of self-expression. It appears in many forms such as paintings, sculptures, photographs, drawings, creative writing, the performing arts and many other pieces using different media. They can be practical in nature or in a form to give us pleasure. And of course, abstract art can pose questions to the observer and it becomes an even more personal experience.
I believe that we are in essence a creative species. Without invention, we may not have evolved because creativity in all its forms is essential to achieving innovation. Art is very personal and can express emotion to us and from us. It can penetrate us and influence our inner world. This may be obvious to us or it could affect us on a subconscious level. In some cases, it may even define who we are.
Communication is essential to get ideas and information across to others. And art is a way of communicating those ideas to one another. Many artists have a deep understanding of society, culture and life. And by creating their art, it can give all of us an insight into our existence. Finally, it can take our minds out of the mundane world and transport us to the outer edges of our imagination. It is a journey we should not ignore.
John Pullen 