Visual Artists Reveal Backstories of Their Inspiration and Creative Works
The visual arts, which include painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, and architecture, use visual mediums to convey meaning, emotion, and concepts. From decorative and practical arts like pottery, graphic design, and fashion to fine arts like painting and sculpture, the visual arts encompass a broad spectrum of artistic expressions. Cave paintings are examples of ancient visual arts, whereas digital art and video are examples of modern visual arts.
By recording and expressing a culture's common history, values, and beliefs, visual arts contribute to cultural identity by acting as a visual language that passes these aspects down through the generations. Through distinctive forms, materials, and processes, they can celebrate particular cultures, tell tales, and perpetuate traditions while simultaneously questioning social norms and making commentary on the experiences and transformations of a society.
The visual arts transcend cultural boundaries, and are "cultural universals". Every civilization has these aspects of society. We are all aware that the visual arts are a part of the human experience, regardless of how they are practiced or their function in a particular community beyond cultural boundaries.
Visual processing is the most effective way for humans to process information. The visual arts are a rich and extensive form of cultural transmission, which is not surprising given that 90% of the information sent to the human brain is visual.
Among the many ways the visual arts interpret society for us are by recording a community's history and values; provoking social change through protest; fostering unity and participation through group projects; evoking patriotism with nationalistic messages; inspiring spiritual illumination and transcendence with divine visions; or just providing amusement or inspiration with clever observations or humorous parodies.
A culture might be strongly associated with a certain visual art form, or with being a place where taking artistic risks is encouraged. Visual arts give us a glimpse of a culture's people, whether it's the nationalistic public art of Oslo City Hall, the Buddhist paintings from the second century that adorn the walls of the Ajanta Caves in India, or the community-made murals of Las Hermanas Mirabal in the Dominican Republic.
Las Hermanas Mirabal murals in the Dominican Republic are an art paradise, featuring more than 400 works of art by Dominican artists. Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s architecture is explored in this interview with curator Peter Trowles on the influence of Mackintosh and Art Nouveau. Meet Cuban painter Toirac. Find out how he subverts censors with art that makes social commentary with clever plays on commercial brands. Meet Novica Co-Founder Armenia Nercessian! Armenia shares her take on social responsibility, artisan empowerment, culture, and more! Vacation with An Artist provides dream vacations for creatives. VAWAA founder explains how people can apprentice with master artists. New Delhi Photographer and Film Maker Benoy Behl shares his adventures across India in search of history and meaning behind art in India. Taos artists have been called to create homages to the area’s light-filled landscape since members of the Taos Pueblo community. San Miguel de Allende is where the iconic art school Instituto Allende is, which has propelled the town into a renowned cultural epicenter. Iconographer Father Kallinkos of Cyprus, himself an icon, reveals his technique & inspiration in this interview held shortly before his death. Meet sculptor Shaun Fraser, who shares how his thought-provoking work is influenced by Flow Country in the Scottish Highlands. Travel with contributing writer Liz Doles to the Fayoum in Egypt, an oasis in the Sahara where art and connections are nourished. The Croatian Museum of Naïve Art tour offers insights into this “art of the people” movement that has been popular since the 20th century. Ever wonder what a work of art? Here’s a chance to hear the meaning behind eight powerful pieces by painter & print-maker Iréne Jensen. Deer Isle, Maine sculptor Peter Beerits embodies the power of art as a catalyst to be true to ourselves, transform the past. The best thing to do in Oslo is visit a spectacular public art collection that highlights themes that influenced Oslo City Hall. Folk art painter Oscar Peren is a leading artist at the “Comalapa School” in San Juan Comalapa, Guatemala and was interviewed by PAC. Icon painter Myrianthi Constantinidou in Cyprus shares insights into Byzantine traditions and her personal process in this intimate interview.
Las Hermanas Mirabal, Arts Mecca in Dominican Republic
How Renowned Architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh Changed Glasgow
Cuban Painter Toirac Infuses Contemporary Art with Social Commentary
Novica Co-Founder on Social Responsibility and Artist Empowerment
Dream Vacations for Creatives Offered by VAWAA
Documenting Indian Art is Calling for Benoy K. Behl
Taos Artists Share Their Inspiration and Talents
The Real Story of San Miguel de Allende and Who Put it On Map
The Purpose of An Iconographer Explained by Renowned Icon Painter
Flow Country and Symbolism of Place
Darkroom in the Desert at the Fayoum in Egypt
Curator of Croatian Museum of Naïve Art in Zagreb on Outsider Art
Icelandic Artist Iréne Jensen’s Journey
Recycled Art Visionary Shares Story of Deer Isle Sculpture Park
Oslo City Hall Features Murals by Renowned Norwegian Artists
Acclaimed Guatemala Folk Art Painter Reveals Dramatic Life
Icon Painter in Cyprus Honors Byzantine and Family Traditions