Why art? 5 reasons to hang art in your home.
“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” - Thomas Merton
Picture a normal house with furniture, appliances, windows and doors. A brown leather couch there, a small lamp here. Now, think about the walls. Are they bare and blank, or are they decorated with pictures and works of art? You most likely answered with the second option. Art has a way if making a house look better. Art is what makes a home a home. But beyond improving the look of your home, we've brainstormed 5 more reasons to hang art around your house:
1) Art shows some personality.
When it comes down to it, a person's collection of art strongly reflects their character. Different kinds of people appreciate and collect different forms of art. An eccentric, creative person may hang colorful paintings on every wall in every room. On the other hand, an easy-going person may hang a few simple pictures in the bathroom and call it a day. But what do empty walls say about a person? Boring! Nothing demonstrates personality better than the art you hang on your walls or place around your home.
More often than we may notice, art can add to the theme or the feel of a home. Sometimes, it can even be the finishing touch to a room. An article through Fulton Homes titled Personalize Your Home: Art says, "art can take over a space, defining it and expanding the drama." For example, "Urban D-Lights" (60x30) by Hans Petersen (pictured below) would be an excellent statement piece based on the size and color ratio. No matter your style, the art you display in your home will not only reflect what is on the wall, but it will also reflect you.
2) Art is a powerful form of expression (for everyone).
Beyond demonstrating personality through the art we buy, we can also use it to express our thoughts, beliefs, and feelings. Artists use their art to express themselves, so why can't we do the same thing? Whether our art conveys religion, political beliefs, or morals we value, it can send a message to the observer without enforcing it.
Overall, the art we display in our house is one way that we, as humans, can express our passions and beliefs. An article in ArtBusiness.com said "Art personalizes and humanizes the places where we live and work. Art revives lifeless interiors-- homes as well as businesses-- and transforms them into unique, beautiful and engaging environments." Louis St. Lewis, the artist of the piece pictured below titled "Psyche and Cupid" (10x8), often bases his mixed media pieces off of the intersection between mythology and religion. This is a perfect example of our our beliefs and values can be incorporated into the art we buy and enjoy.
3) Art is inspiring and thought-provoking.
Art has always been inspiring and many people see art as a form of motivation. Art inspires more art. As Van Gogh once said, "I want to touch people with my art. I want them to say 'he feels deeply, he feels tenderly.'" Art can also be a conversation starter. Whether you're having friends over for a dinner party or the in-laws are in town, the art you display around your house can spark up a question about where it's from, who made it, or even why you like it so much. We all know what it's like to have guests over and an awkward silence lingers in the room.
The same article says, "Art encourages people to ask questions, introspect, think about new ideas, experience fresh new perspectives and most importantly, it encourages us to take brief moments out of our busy lives to reflect on more than just the mundanities of our daily existences." Although we often don't think of it this way, art, at the very least, is another thing to talk about, another discussion topic. Besides, it makes the tour of your house that much more impressive. Which brings me to reason #4:
4) Art makes people proud to live and work where they do.
A collection of art can be something to brag about. In today's society, a collection of art can make you seem more "cultured" or more "worldly." Art collection is a prestigious activity with lots of history. But it's not about collecting art for the competition, it's about personalizing your home so that you feel at peace and appreciate where you live.
5) Art is mentally and environmentally healthy.
These days, so many of us are caught up in what causes global warming that we forget to appreciate the stuff that doesn't. Unlike a lot of things, art does not increase global warming and is completely environmentally friendly. Most of the technology and items that humans purchase these days end up in the landfill because they are no longer useful. Art, on the other hand, never outlives its usefulness.
As well as being harmless to the environment, art is also extremely healthy for our minds. Michael Freedman wrote in the Huffington Post wrote, "Art can be a healing force for people with mental disorders, including people with dementia, and art can contribute to psychological well-being of people regardless of whether they have a mental disorder or not." In many scenarios, art has proven to improve a person's state of mind and their overall happiness.
