Lofty post title, no? You might think that I’m about to expound on the academic reasoning of the importance of art (because i totally could!) 
. Ha, not so!
No, today I’m just going to share a few reflections from a recent daytrip that made me ponder on the role of art in our lives.
Several weeks ago, David and I visited Gremillion & Co. Fine Art gallery in Dallas – not our usual scene and definitely not our target shopping destination, but it was none-the-less inspiring. While walking through the gallery space and listening to the stories and histories of many of the artists and works on display, I couldn’t help but think about the significance of meaningful art in our homes. You know, the kind that makes you stop and think or observe and feel.
It seems fair to say that most people adhere to the idea that art is important for society as a whole. But what about art for individuals at home? Less important? Not necessary? Why bother?
Humor me and consider the following – a favorite quote that I mentally reference quite often…
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” ~ Pablo Picasso
And OH, the dust!! Our modern lives have a way of collecting a lot of it. So, my conclusion… art at home is incredibly important and functional! But, in my mind, there’s a clause… not just obligatory art, the kind that is only meant to fill a void on the wall. Why have art in your home if it’s not meaningful? Art with significance is so much more interesting!!
Shopping for art at galleries such as Gremillion is one way to ensure that the pieces you select are high-quality, thought-provoking, and enduring. But if that’s a tad out of your budget, don’t fret… there are actually lots of cool sources for discovering unique works of art at lower prices. Recently, I’ve been taken by the emergence of online “galleries”. If you’re looking for a wide variety of styles and price-points, here are a few websites I suggest:
Even though I’m not in the immediate market for new art, I’ve been doing some research of my own. Half the fun is learning about the art itself!
6 comments
marion says:
Jul 24, 2012
I was thinking that you recently acquired an original art piece from an artist that was painted when he lived out west…n’est pas?
Hilary says:
Jul 24, 2012
You’re right!! That is a piece with lots of meaning and significance! Now, to determine where to hang it…
Cassie Hansen says:
Jul 24, 2012
I used to have prints hanging on our walls, works of art that I loved. They have been replaced with pictures of my kids. So for now the only art in our home are pictures OF our children and family and pictures created BY our children.
I love the idea that it should MEAN something, not just take up empty space.
Cassie says:
Jul 24, 2012
Love the article!!! The Artsicle Team totally agrees 100% with what you are saying! Art should be an expression of you, not just some expensive filler. It can be anything from a print, a map, or even a local, NYC original piece- doesn’t matter just as long as it makes you happy. Also, renting or buying art is not only significant for you, it is also significant for the artist you are supporting. =)
Urban Oasis | Hilary Inspired says:
Jul 25, 2012
[...] 2012 • 4:00 am No Comments After yesterday’s “hefty” subject matter about the importance of art, today I find myself in the mood to [...]
Lindsay says:
Jul 27, 2012
This is so, so true. And a great reminder to me. When I first moved into my apartment I was determined to fill it with images that moved me and that expressed something I believed was important. Of course, art (and framing it) is expensive and I slowly settled for filler, ‘fun’ pieces (fine, but not what I’d planned), and whatever matched the rest of the room.
My original inspiration was a man named Lewis whom I met on a side trip through the rural outskirts of Philadelphia. He lived in an old home that used to be part of the Underground Railroad, a home his parents had bought and that he shared with his lovely partner who I think was named Joann. The house was huge and FULL of art. Sculptures, folk art, and lots lots lots of paintings. He had so many that there were paintings ‘filed’ in the banisters of the staircase! What struck me wasn’t just the quantity, but the fact that he regularly rotated them, and that it was such a mixture of high and low (flea market finds and Picasso, grandkids’ work and Grandma Moses), and unafraid in his displays. Most of us would never hang the sensuous nudes or the angry abstract pieces that he proudly displayed. He had a story for every piece, and knew who had made it and when he bought it, and what their conversation had been like. He eventually curated an exhibit on contemporary African American art for a museum, and I still have a copy of the exhibit book. Since visiting Lewis, I have wanted my home to have that unafraid and appreciative quality when it comes to art.