Art is a skill that requires extreme thought and care. Growing up, I loved and admired the way in which one could put pencil to page and create something extraordinary. It says without words what a person is thinking or feeling and can even represent current and past issues of our world.
Traditionally, when looking back centuries at what art used to be, one could evoke a sense of realism in what stood before them. Specific methods were used to craft work that could not be reproduced so easily – especially today, with the usage of older tools like pencils, charcoal, oil paints, and clay.
Various historical paintings throughout the main hall of Lady Lever Art Gallery. – Photo by Jasmine LongNorth Rotunda: The classical sculptures from Ancient Greece and Rome in Lady Lever Art Gallery. – Photo by Jasmine Long
These windows to the past enable those who appreciate it to look beyond the exterior canvas. We can visually interpret what it looked like to be in that era without ever actually experiencing it for ourselves.
But as time stretched on, art formations continued to develop with it. Although paintings are still one of the most popular and accessible pieces of work on the market, artists are constantly modifying the way in which it can be done to suit modern eras.
London artist, Sara Sherwood, crafts paintings of cityscape art. She has been a full time artist since 2005 and has sold many cityscape artworks in her very own gallery.
She said that her inspiration for her work comes from her heart, everyday moments and of course, nature.
‘There is beauty in everywhere and I am captivated by the shapes and angles of the city as well as the curves in nature. I interpret the view with emotion and express that emotion in paint.’
‘Working in oil on canvas, my passion is for colour, self-expression, and fluidity. I love to work alla prima (at first attempt), putting colours down instinctively, blending and using a palette knife with intuition and spontaneity.’
‘Gunmetal Sky’ – painting by Sara Sherwood‘Light Party’ – painting by Sara Sherwood
But as we look even further into the future, art is so much more contemporary and even visual. With digital media, almost anything creative can become an art.
I spoke to artist and teacher, Dan Whiteson, whose artwork is part of an on-going project into the effect of digital media on the physical self. He gives a fantastic insight into the life of an artist today and explains the effect he wishes for his work to have on its audience:
In today’s society, people are able to immerse themselves into the physical act of art – one that can be both entertaining and interesting.
Although this form of art lacks an original story-telling element to it, artists have kept up to date in the market for art and what its audiences are looking for. In this way, people cannot only connect with the art, but are able to physically submerge themselves into the deep and vast world that is visual art.
‘AMAZE’ in Amsterdam: A both visual and beautiful experience
I visited AMAZE in Amsterdam where I got to experience these visual art concepts in person. The swing set was particularly interesting, as I was able to enter an optical jungle-like world by just simply using a swing, which can be seen in the video provided, alongside the other various artistic features of lights within the experience:
When one can physically see, hear, and interact with art, it becomes a part of you. You get to see the enjoyment and thrilling aspect of what the artist tried to express.
An example of light art being used to create something beautiful and realistic. – Photo by Jasmine LongLight and imagery in ‘AMAZE’, Amsterdam. – Photo by Jasmine Long
Although traditional art is a timestamp of history, its beneficial for this contemporary movement in art to provide us with newer and fresh ideas. Things that are visual help bring the work to life, encouraging us to be at one with art.
