Viewing Art
A Reflective Activity

Art can enrich our lives in many ways. As sentient beings our response to art can solicit a range of responses and emotions, from joy and delight to terror and anguish. Art can also critique and provide insight into our human condition, our worldview and our culture. This is true both for the creator of the image and the viewing audience.​
​One of the benefits of viewing abstract art is that it can engage the viewer at the most fundamental level – his own imagination. Drawing upon his own life experiences, feelings and preferences, the viewer can derive his own unique response and meaning to the image. Non representative images ensure that the viewer is forced to cease making value judgements about how good or bad an image is because it cannot be compared to an existing reality. Viewing an abstract image of this nature “as a metaphor for our lives”, opens up a range of questions for the viewer. Here are some of the examples:-

• What painting are you attracted to? Is it obvious why or are you unaware at this stage?
• Observe your engagement with the painting. Does your eye come to rest on a focal point for you? Or does it wonder over a number of areas?
• Does any element jump out? (Elements being line, shape, colour or pattern)
• Sit with the image.
• Can you identify any subtle feeling you may experience?
• Is there anything from your experience or memory that connects you to something?  

a_reflective_activity_for_viewers.docx
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Download the form that can be used for your own reflective activity in a gallery or artist of your own choice.  

The Process
About the Artist

​INFLUENCES >
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​ARTISTIC JOURNEY >
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​THE PROCESS >
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​​INNER JOURNEY - INSPIRATION >
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