Thank you for this thoughtful piece. As an abstract landscape artist I try to address issues of environmental crisis and I feel very strongly about human rights.
For many artists, paintings seem to come 'through' us and I simply cannot make the kind of raw and angry art that I feel I perhaps 'ought' to be making.
However, bringing light and contemplative space into my work feels like a counterpoint to the aggressive overwhelm of the current world.
As artists also we can make quite specific points with the way we name paintings and sell them to raise funds for causes we believe in.
Absolutely loved this! You captured the complexity so well. It’s refreshing to see a conversation that holds space for both the power of political art and the quiet necessity of beauty and contemplation. There’s so much truth in the idea that even choosing not to make a statement is a statement. Beautifully said.
Not all art is political, children’s art for example is not political, but as soon as you are conscious of the political potential of art it becomes inescapable, the dilemma exists whether you turn your back on it or embrace it. Your choice is a political one.
In the current political climate, it feels like the intent is to keep us in such a state of chaos that we don't have the capacity to create art. The act of pushing through becomes itself political.
Adding beauty and joy to the world is a worthwhile activity in and of itself.
Absolutely!!
Thank you for this thoughtful piece. As an abstract landscape artist I try to address issues of environmental crisis and I feel very strongly about human rights.
For many artists, paintings seem to come 'through' us and I simply cannot make the kind of raw and angry art that I feel I perhaps 'ought' to be making.
However, bringing light and contemplative space into my work feels like a counterpoint to the aggressive overwhelm of the current world.
As artists also we can make quite specific points with the way we name paintings and sell them to raise funds for causes we believe in.
Thank you for reading! Happy to hear you enjoyed it! Keep creating beautiful works
Absolutely loved this! You captured the complexity so well. It’s refreshing to see a conversation that holds space for both the power of political art and the quiet necessity of beauty and contemplation. There’s so much truth in the idea that even choosing not to make a statement is a statement. Beautifully said.
Thank you! So happy you enjoyed this article!
It was terrific!
Not all art is political, children’s art for example is not political, but as soon as you are conscious of the political potential of art it becomes inescapable, the dilemma exists whether you turn your back on it or embrace it. Your choice is a political one.
In the current political climate, it feels like the intent is to keep us in such a state of chaos that we don't have the capacity to create art. The act of pushing through becomes itself political.
That’s a valid and interesting take
I wrote about this on my substack too!
It’s a great topic, that will probably be up for debate for eternity
I saw a Ted that argued that the act of making art is itself an inherently political act.
https://youtu.be/2XZ9z6OewR0?si=Qs4wV7R5DjUEGFrf
And I’m inclined to agree.
Especially subconsciously. We all create for a reason and that reason is inspired by something.
Albert Camus' essay "Create Dangerously" comes to mind