Art Galleries hold our stories.
There is a profound need for humanity to be remembered. To declare that we have walked this earth and in some way left our mark for others to know we have lived.
Every village, hamlet, town and city has set aside a room, house, building to exhibit art in the form of paintings, sculptures, crafts, watercolours, books, photographs. We want to preserve our way of thinking and being. Art galleries serve as a repository of our society’s “collective memory.”
Over the years (actually centuries) there have been huge debates on the merits of artistic expression. Every generation has a way of seeing the world through fresh eyes, influenced by the forces of technology, political climate, sacred beliefs and cultural values. Art galleries are influenced by who we are, what we believe, and how we participate within a wider global community.
When you visit an art gallery, be prepared to engage and be challenged. You may not appreciate or “like” a specific artwork, but you must recognize that every creative endeavour is a signature of a specific time, place, experience. Those who refused to accept Monet, Van Gogh, Klimpt serve as a cautionary tale – not because they disliked the work, but because they were unwilling to listen to voices that expressed an evolving and innovating art movement.
Henri Matisse said that “Creativity takes courage.” Most assume that Matisse was speaking to the artistic community. I believe that he was directing that statement to us all.
