busting myths regarding viewing art

 

I think looking at art, attending art functions, gallery openings, visiting art museums, etc can feel intimidating and/or overwhelming to some.

I think there is a myth that one should be able to talk about art or know something about art in order to participate in the viewing of art.

The truth is, it is very common for artists, themselves, not to be able to fully comprehend their work in the midst of their making! Sometimes the stars don’t align until after a body of work is created and the artist is onto creating another. Sometimes the stars don’t align at all. Sometimes we don’t know why, we just know we need - to.

I always tell viewers if you can identify something you like (even something you don’t like!), you’ve maneuvered the art world. And you definitely don’t need to know why.

Art isn’t linear.