Art is an exploration of line, color, texture, shape and movement in a medium that is pleasing to the senses. Art can inspire emotions, stimulate the mind, educate and even entertain. It is created by people in all walks of life, in studios, on kitchen tables and even garages. Some create their work with meticulous care, others work sloppily and spontaneously. Some are self-taught, some learn through books or teachers, and some find inspiration from their surroundings or other artists’ works. But there is one thing all art has in common: it speaks to individuals in unique ways that are influenced by their own experiences, cultural background and artistic knowledge. Understanding art is a process that requires patience and an open mind.
Art can take many forms, from the obvious to the abstract and sometimes a combination of both. It can be a sculpture, painting, photograph, print, drawing or a combination of other media. It can be created in a variety of techniques, from scratch, with pencils and pens, with brushes and paints, and by use of modern digital technology. Throughout history, art has been defined and re-defined, from the creation of Egyptian hieroglyphs to graffiti to the contemporary production of computer generated images and movies.
In the early days of civilizations, it was common for much of art to be religious. Perhaps it was because religion offered an index of easily referenced symbols, or because it allowed artists to use recognizable figures and objects. Later, as cultures became more secular, portraits and other forms that focused on real events began to appear. These were often based on models, and thus looked quite different than the stylized spiritual and mythical figures of earlier times.
Art can have a wide range of purposes, including: functional or structural; decorative or celebratory; symbolic or ritualistic; illustrative or educational; confrontational; ego-building; therapeutic; social, economic or political commentary; and communication. These may be reflected in the artwork’s composition, the medium, the subject matter or the title. The complexity of these purposes makes it difficult to define art in isolation from the systems of concepts that make up and inform it.