How to look at Art

People often enjoy looking at abstract art, but get let themselves get stressed about it, because they lack a formal art education. They think they need to know 'what it means' to enjoy it.

Here's an idea to consider.

When we listen to music, we know if we like it or not. We don't ask ourselves what it means, unless we are confused by lyrics. The music itself is its own language. It is happy, mournful, cheerful, slow, fast, boppy, jazzy, or any of dozens of other ways we could describe it.

If I asked a musician to analyze why a certain jazz piece makes me feel pensive, and another one makes me feel energetic, they could probably tell me why. But I don't need to know those things to enjoy the music.

Sometimes, when we listen to music, we hear a faint suggestion of some other music we know. Almost like the composer was nodding to another piece of music. (Or it could be very obvious, as is the case with sampling.) When it is a good musician, I assume this is deliberate. They are reminding me of the other piece on purpose.

Visual art is the same. It is a language of its own. We can describe it in words, but it doesn't need the words, it is sufficient unto itself. Sometimes a colour or a shape might remind you of something. If you are looking at the work of a museum artist, this is likely a deliberate reference. If you start to learn more about art, you will see more of the conversation artists have with other artists over time, going back to the first cave drawings.

But - and this is really important - you don't need to know any of that. You just need to let the shapes, the colours, the lines, the textures have their way with your eyes. You don't have to know why you like it or don't like it. You are fully equipped to experience it just as you are.

I hope this helps you be free to explore more art in a more relaxed way.

“Anthropocene Bouquet” mixed media on paper.