What is Art?

by Massoud Shiraz

Many people have written volumes on the subject of art. The article that follows is concise and limited to 850 words. I have done my best to provide a definition of what art is to me, and hopefully others will gain from my understanding.

What is art? The answer is complex and evolving, but there are certain aspects of art that are always true. A piece of art is the artist’s emotions revealed, a reflection of passion for life and beauty. Art is a moment in time captured for others to experience. A great artist creates with his whole being, bearing his deepest thoughts and emotions through his medium.

A great work of art conveys the artist’s thoughts to its audience, resulting in an emotional response to the artwork. Have you ever cried or felt like crying when you viewed a piece of art? Michelangelo’s Pieta conveys love, grief, and death with beauty and passion. The position of Mary gently holding her dead son is so moving, it speaks to all who love and suffer grief.

Francisco Goya’s paintings represent another side of emotion. He lived and painted in Spain in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Some of Goya’s paintings are dark with fear and anger, displaying the emotions and atrocities of war. His work The Third of May, 1808 documents Spanish citizens being executed by Napoleon’s soldiers. Author H.W. Janson and Jane Dora suggest that Goya captures brutality, fear and helplessness in their book, The Story of Painting.

Artists create not only with their hearts, but also with their hands. To be a truly great artist, one must have the ability to sketch, control the balance of composition on canvas, and harmonize the colors of the palette. A good painting is like a good symphony. All the elements must be in order and harmonize with each other. The great English artist Turner wrote to a friend, “The only secret I have got is damned hard work.” Great art takes time and perseverance.

Criticism is another element in developing art. Artists can become so absorbed in their work that they may not be able to see ah element properly. In this case, a critic can offer advice to the artist. Criticism can also motivate artists to create stronger work.

Criticism is important and healthy, but a truly passionate artist will not allow the critics or the public to stop him from painting. Vincent Van Gogh never sold a painting, but one must admit the genius of his work. Today, critics and collectors alike highly value his techniques of composition and color harmony.

This is also true of the Impressionists. After their Parisian exhibitions in the middle of the 19th century, Impressionists were strongly criticized as “madmen” and “angry young men” who would bring the end of painting, according to author Giles Neret in his book, The Impressionists. Instead, their work revolutionized art, creating a new style, which is now respected and admired throughout the world.

Beyond the passion for painting and good technique, there is another characteristic of great artists. This element is the gift or talent for creating beauty. Matisse had this talent. His simple paper cutouts are beautiful and graceful. Some artists can work their entire lives and never achieve such simple, honest beauty.

Art with passion and beauty identifies the history and culture of a society. Cavemen painted the animals necessary for their survival. European art of the Middle Ages focused on the Christian religion which dominated that society. In the 19th century, Delacroix’s Liberty Guiding the People, captured the spirit of revolution. In this painting, the people are an unstoppable mob, led by a beautiful woman, the symbol of liberty and freedom. Art is an unbreakable connection between the past, today and beyond to the future.

As art documents the history and culture of a society, it also speaks to individuals. Many art lovers are seeking a representation of their own identity through artwork. The arts community hungers for beauty and drama, and sympathizes with the emotions and passions of artists.

Our community must support artists by attending exhibits, purchasing work, and educating ourselves about good art. Visiting museums and galleries, meeting artists, and reading books about artists and artwork are ways to better appreciate art. It is true that art is in the eye of the beholder, but with education and experience, our tastes can evolve. If we are to have a strong arts community, we must all continually work to improve our own education and level of expectations. We must also open the doors to include others in our community.

Art conveys beauty and emotions through many media. It belongs to everyone, not just a few, and offers much to our lives. Art can educate our community, motivate individuals, and elevate our expectations. Cavemen used art to identify their culture and so do we. In the end, art is our identity.

This article that you have been reading has been published in Charlotte Taste magazine.