The Purpose of Art?

There are many theories about the purpose of art. Even though art is generally not considered to be a basic necessity of life, it proves to be hugely important to artists and art-lovers. I have heard people say that art is almost like breathing to them. And indeed I have noticed that being unable to work over a longer period of times can result in making me feel anxious and even cause literal shortness of breath. This following artwork shows just that:

One of the theories about art is that its job is to bring beauty into an ugly world. I struggle with that. Perhaps partially….. But I find truth much more important than beauty, which is subjective anyway. I think there is beauty in truth though, wether it’s serene and pretty or raw and cold. In life and also in art, nothing is worse to me than fake emotions, resulting in sentimental and kitschy images. 

Degas said that art is not what you see, but what you make others see. Sorry, Edgar, I find that a very weird thing to say. How can your own artwork not be about your own perception? That is impossible. If I cannot depict my own view of the outside and my inner world, then there is nothing to interpret for the audience to begin with. So…. nah…

‘Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known.’

Kushandwizdom

‘‘Eva’’, ink and crayon on paper, A4

But now I have painted myself into a corner by saying what I don’t think the purpose of art is. Now, of course I have to tell you what I do think it is. Like trying to grab a moon beam, art is fickle. If you try to take control over it, you will end up with nothing. A bit like my personality! Art has many unwritten rules, that you learn at the art academy, but at the same time you’re expected to break them at the right time and for the right reason. What? Yes! And I love that! The same goes for the purpose that art is supposed to have. It’s like all these theories are true and not true at the same time. 

But, to me art is about connection. First of all, connection to myself. I gradually lose touch with myself when I don’t create. And I feel useful and strong when I do work. I then am the fullest version of myself and I feel balanced. I feel good about creating things that weren’t there before and that they might possibly serve another person too in some

And to me art is about the connection to another. If my forms of expression touch another person in some way, then I feel less lonely. And who knows, perhaps it does the same to them! Yes, I can get lonely and with that I mean lonely in my mind, not in daily life. It’s nothing gloomy, it’s just a part of who I am and how my artist mind works. But that rare moment, when a friend or a complete stranger responds to this peek they have had inside of my mind, (which it is of course) in such a way that it tells me that they have really understood what I was trying to say, then for a while I feel I am not completely alone in my mind all the time. That there are at least a few more people out there, somewhere, with the same strange interests, feelings, thoughts and fears. 

Eva Mout, Ursus Art