Thursday arrives and as I continue this journey towards being known as a professional photographic fine artist, part of that requires me to better understand the nature of my niche within the art world, the interaction it sparks with the viewing community and how it creates meaningful value for the customer. Today is a post focused on how art, photography in particular, illuminates our life experiences.
Symbolism
Through its forms and shapes, emotions are evoked as a direct and as second order effects. The way we structure our work communicates different feelings. Art can also convey deeper concepts and ideas through the use of symbolism through the use of objects, colors, shapes, and other elements to represent abstract concepts which can be used in a variety of ways. For example, white can represent purity or innocence, while black might be used to represent negativity, a rose might represent love and blue tranquility.
‘Art helps us see our world in a new light and provides a deeper understanding of our experiences.’
We can communicate complex ideas that are easy to understand and visually striking. This technique can also create a sense of depth and richness that invites the viewer to explore the multiple layers of meaning and interpretation beyond a surface glance. My recent awards winning triptych Opposites is in its essence two pools of ink in a Petri dish that slowly move towards and into each other. That is a simple first order story. Yet as the inks merge and interdigitate, there is the potential for a much deeper symbolism to be considered for the minds that are open to the concept. The use of color can be present yet subliminal, such as red’s association with passion and love, while blue is often linked to peacefulness or tranquility. Using different color schemes, we express a range of emotions and create atmospheres that resonate with the viewers.
Anger or tension arises with the use of sharp and jagged shapes or smooth and flowing lines may evoke a sense of calmness or peace. Similarly, the size, scale, and texture of the artwork can also contribute to the emotional impact it has on the viewer. It can also create a sense of relationship that is overwhelming in size to intimate with smaller more detailed pieces that require closer scrutiny.
Symbolism can add universality to the artwork through bridges using certain symbols that are recognized and understood throughout different cultures and backgrounds. The heart tends to be recognized as a representation of love and affection. While a sense of mystery and intrigue can be prompted by using symbols to create a puzzle that viewers try to cognitively decipher. Engaging and drawing the curious deeper into the artwork asks them to form a and express their own interpretations.
Art can also open our minds through aesthetic appeal, referring to the visual and sensory qualities that make it visually and emotionally evocative. Aesthetic appeal in art is often associated with beauty. Creating a visual experience that engages the viewer’s senses and emotions with bright, bold colors and dynamic photographic techniques can create a sense of excitement and energy, while muted colors and soft, delicate patterns evoke a sense of calm and serenity. Connecting and resonating with the viewer creates deeper, more meaningful emotions. The intentionally unbalanced or asymmetric estheticism can create a sense of tension and excitement that draws the observer in. We can also use aesthetic appeal to challenge the viewer’s expectations, push boundaries, challenge traditional notions and rules for creation.
Through its forms and shapes, art can illuminate emotions in a second order effect. The way we structure our work communicates different feelings, such as anger or tension in the use of sharp and jagged shapes or smooth and flowing lines may evoke a sense of calmness or peace. Similarly, the size, scale, and texture of the artwork can also contribute to the emotional impact it has on the viewer. The composition of the artwork can also play an important role in expressing emotion. Arranging elements within the work in specific ways, we create balance, tension, or movement that sparks different emotions in our audiences. A chaotic composition can evoke confusion or anxiety, while a balanced composition can produce a feeling of stability or harmony.
‘Art can illuminate through color, form, composition and storytelling.’
In some circumstances, art sparks emotion by creating a narrative or story within or about the artwork. Depicting human experiences and struggles, artists can help us connect with emotions and feelings that we might not have explored. The creation of a sense of empathy and understanding, allow the artist and observer to explore emotions in a more profound way. This can also occur in the story or narrative itself of the artist’s journey and/or the process by which they create their art.
Narrative in art involves the use of visual elements, such as characters, settings, and events, to create a story or message within the artwork. It is also the artist’s opportunity to become vulnerable and share a personal story related to the art itself. This use of narrative can convey social or political messages connecting the artist and observer. This narrative can illuminate deeper meanings by telling stories or depicting a scene that communicates other messages or concepts.
Statement art can show people protesting against social injustice conveying a sense of outrage or hope, and highlight social concepts important in the day. Storytelling is both an element of the art and an artform itself. Narrative in art involves the use of characters, settings, and events, to create a story or message within or about the artwork. Art and their narratives can create a sense of nostalgia or reflection. Perhaps times gone by… Depicting scenes or events from the past, we can evoke a sense of longing for that memory. This connection to the artwork allows viewers to reflect on their own memories and experiences.
Art can open our minds through aesthetic appeal, referring to the visual and sensory qualities that make it visually and emotionally evocative. Aesthetic appeal in art is often associated with beauty. Sometimes this sense of aesthetical appeal appeal is elusive. Creating a visual experience that engages the viewer’s senses and emotions with bright, bold colors and dynamic photographic techniques can create a sense of excitement and energy, while muted colors and soft, delicate patterns evoke a sense of calm and serenity.
Connecting and resonating with the viewer, creates a deeper, more meaningful emotion to the viewer. In addition, aesthetic appeal creates harmony and balance. Well-composed artwork can create a sense of visual harmony that is both pleasing or jarring to the eye and can evoke a sense of calmness and tranquility or dissonance and discord. The intentionally unbalanced or asymmetric estheticism can create a sense of tension and excitement that engages the viewer’s senses and emotions. We can also use that appeal to challenge the viewer’s expectations and push boundaries. By experimenting with unconventional materials, forms, and colors, we create art that challenges traditional notions and rules for creation. This creates intrigue and excitement, inviting viewers to explore new ideas and perspectives.
Art can powerfully illuminate and express emotions in a multitude of ways, through its use of color, form, composition, storytelling and aesthetic appeal. Through the use of the concepts, the output of our creativity can connect us with viewers on a deeper level and help us gain a better understanding of our own emotions and experiences.
Join me in a fireside chat via Zoom in the evening to discuss any aspect of my artwork. To qualify, and join a video conversation send your contact information and let me know what you would want to talk about. The selected participants will receive a 25% discount on any of my unlimited edition pieces of art. I will personally sign the piece at printing. Even more, the gallery is offering this purchase risk free for you. Free shipping, Free return, and no questions asked if you are unhappy with the art work. You can keep the print for 30 days to enjoy the selection in your home or office. This risk free offer does not apply to metal, acrylic and other specialized media prints.
Cheers,
Jim