by Asher Mains
Imagine if there were people in our society that were able to think deeply through contemporary issues, keeping ethical and aesthetic considerations in mind, while creating visually compelling visual records that reflect the human experience as well as innovative solutions.
Enter the philosopher-artist. While art many times is relegated to a nice past time or useful for creating decoration, Grenada has been joining global conversations through contemporary art through deep thought and technically proficient artwork. Currently having a presence in Venice at the prestigious Biennale di Venezia for the 7th time, coincidentally we are also preparing for Grenada’s 7th edition of the Grenada Contemporary Exhibit. In each of these instances, local and international artists join in dialogue beyond pleasant images and objects — at this level of contemporary art, the artwork is driven by philosophy.
There are many reasons to encourage artists to explore philosophy as a way of pushing themselves forward, aside from the enjoyment of learning, here are 5 ways studying philosophy can improve your practice.
Deepening Understanding of the Human Experience
Big questions in philosophy can lead us down “rabbit holes” that help to expand how we think about certain subjects. Questions about the nature of reality, existence, our place in society and the cosmos can lead us to revelations in our own work and the literacy to identify topics like this in other artwork.
Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills
Making art is fundamentally a problem-solving endeavour. Philosophy can teach us to create a logical sequence but also to exercise perspective taking. Understanding how the same piece of art could be analysed through different conceptual frameworks can enhance your ability to critique artwork.
Exploration of Aesthetics
Aesthetics deals specifically with the nature of beauty, art, truth, and perception. These are subjects that have been developed and cultivated throughout history and understanding aesthetics can help an artist contribute to the ongoing dialogue about the purpose and value of art.
Ethical Considerations in Art
Increasingly, artists have considered how to make work that effectively comments on society while being a responsible and ethical voice. Issues of representation, cultural appropriation, propaganda, and other social issues need to be treated in an informed way. Studying moral philosophy can give the artist the tools and vocabulary to discuss sensitive topics through their work.
Inspiration and Conceptual Innovation
Viewing art history through the lens of philosophy provides a visual history of human thought. Through different philosophical movements, an artist can see how the prevailing thought of the day came through the artwork and consider how we can use similar approaches to filter today’s reality through the studio.
By integrating philosophical study into their practice, artists can cultivate a deeper, more reflective, and ethically conscious approach to their work, enhancing both their personal growth and their contributions to the cultural landscape.
