Latest posts by michael wilson (see all)
- JORDAN RIVER - February 5, 2019
- Inspired Art - August 2, 2018
- Waiting for Inspiration - July 31, 2018
- The Bridge between Painting and Photography - July 31, 2018
I truly cannot remember any of my art professors discuss the essential purpose of art. It would seem vital to an art education – a young student venturing in to the field of art, to understand where they are going and for what purpose. They have chosen to express themselves as artists and so, it would seem important to lecture them or help them understand what exactly is the essential purpose of art. Perhaps things have changed now at the academies – I hope so.
Perhaps art instructors now have a better grasp of the purpose of expression, the reason for art in our lives.
If a student were to better understand the purposes that surround their experience then it would seem to follow that their own art would benefit. A broader understanding would naturally yield a higher clarity to ones own work. I attended a number of art schools both in and out of a University setting and generally the environment was less than inspired. In retrospect this was a shame and I truly hope that the schools have realized the necessity to re-invigorate themselves. 
Art is and certainly should be the higher reflection of a higher understanding, a greater awareness, a more directed consciousness. In fact the very nature of art is derived from the awareness of form to the point of understanding the essential nature of form. Art is, after all awareness. The artist studies form to realize the inner aspect of form and then to manifest that understanding to the viewer. This is the artist’s purpose. We understand that form simply observed, reveals little to our understanding. It is the artists purposed to search it out, discover the inherent meaning and to ascertain the poignant metaphors. When we see good art we should be moved, we should be transformed, even if slightly. The subject matter may be abstract. It need not be a realistic reflection of nature.
Perhaps we are at a critical period now, as Ekhardt Tolle suggests – that our spiritual and inner self is at a critical point of survival. Perhaps this reflects what is also happening to our physical world, now beset with dynamic climate change. One seems to run parallel to the other. The scientist makes us aware of these physical dynamics that affect our lives and the responsible artist should heighten our awareness of our own developing consciousness- the non-physical world.
Every time an artist makes even a small discovery of what is inherently true, then we as a society grow. Every understanding by the artist helps us in our own awareness – or should.
The essential purpose of art has very much to do with discovery. A very inspired drawing instructor named Nicholaides suggested that the beginning art student should forget about making ‘nice drawings to be admired’. The first years of study should be devoted to discovery of the inner nature of form. I think this comes close to defining the essential purpose of art. When we become enthralled by the simple contour, we begin to gain an appreciation for the wonder of life itself – the great energy that supports and sustains life. The artist’s purpose then is critical if we are to grow spiritually in this dynamic period of history. There is a deep responsibility required of the artist to seek honestly and diligently whether he or she paints objectively or abstractly. Concentrated study will always be rewarded. Curiously a drawing which reflects the essential nature of its subject, by degrees cannot help but reflect a certain beauty. The closer we ascertain the nature of a thing, the more mysterious and beautiful it becomes to us.