Who cares about art anyway?

Art might seem like a useless topic - it's not practical, a lot is kept in big, boring galleries, and some art doesn't even look like art at all!

But funnily enough, art - which covers every creative discipline you can imagine - is vital to living a meaningful life.

Huh?

Let's start with with a deceptively simple question - what is art?

Some say art is a creation of beauty. Some believe true art must imitate life. Some say art is a means of expressing emotions and inner experiences. Some say only formal art matters, or it is only art if it is recognised by galleries or critics. Others say anything is art if a creator and audience says so - or even something without an audience. The art might just be something for its creator.

All these ideas are correct - but really, only you can decide what you believe to be art.

OK, so you have found something you believe is art - what now? Why does it matter?

Well, maybe it doesn't. This post is just my opinion and maybe you don't think there is anything worthwhile about whatever you consider art. Perhaps art is a waste of time even to talk about.

That's your choice. But before you decide, consider the following three things that I believe make art so important:

1. Art can impart emotions, feelings and ideas which are impossible to put into words - art often invokes a sense of wonder and joy

2. Art is a language all of it's own - it doesn't matter where it was created, or by whom, or when - art can speak to us across the centuries

3. Different kinds of art can make us see the world or ourselves in a different way - art can change us.

If you think art is boring, just imagine a world with no music, books, movies, stories, paintings, amazing buildings, beautiful everyday objects, fashion, or design.

Apart from family, what could be more important than art to nurture our soul?