Art – getting to the heart of the matter

I was asked by someone this week if I could get to the heart of what makes something art (with long term value) and what makes something else just a decoration and how we might be able to tell the difference. It got me thinking and I came to some of the following conclusions, which – whilst a little esoteric, I thought I’d share with you.

I believe that great art is produced by innately talented, rigorously trained, passionate, sensitive, unique individuals. So, when determining the potential for an artist, knowing about their personality and their approach to their practice is important. In many ways true artists do not have a choice about whether to create, as failing to do so they risk enduring a crippling sense of mis-alignment with themselves and the world around them.  Their creativity is their life force and how they find meaning in the world. It’s a calling, it’s the way they express themselves. Often the nature of an artist is a highly sensitive one, they feel and think deeply, having highly attuned senses, recognising subtle nuances of light, sound, atmosphere and the world at large, which can be somewhat overwhelming in a culture that often celebrates the extroverted. They need to embrace this temperament with special care and consideration and then they will bloom. Of course not all artists share the same temperament.

My belief is that when someone gifted and also grounded in technical skill, creates work from this place that we as viewers of the work also gain access to this place within us and have a visceral response to the work, in turn feeling deeply ourselves. When I look at work I am watching what feelings arise within me and for me these are the indicators of true art, rather than more superficial decoration. With decorative art I think the piece is often created with the end in mind, to look attractive… and that’s perfectly valid but it’s not visceral and there is the distinction for me, great artists have accessed the depths of themselves, expressing it with great technical skill, unique vision and passion. With decorative art the process may be more reversed, considering the appearance of the end product and it’s commercial viability rather than honouring the creative process. A deep consideration on the part of the true artist is distilled into their work.

When I’m standing in front of something outstanding, it has this visceral charge it might even be a little uncomfortable, the work is not immediately recognisable because the artist has developed a unique visual language. These are often the works that pop back into my head later that day, the next week, or year, they have left a mark on me.

We’d love to know, what do you think makes something art?