On why we need art, beauty and creative expression~
During a time when survival was more even more uncertain than it is today, our ancestors still chose to paint their pottery, adorn their bodies, and make art of all kinds. They told stories through thread and stone, shaped vessels not just for function but for ceremony, and carried their stories across generations through carefully crafted objects. Why take the extra time and effort to do these things?
After all, you can’t eat a painting. A sculpture won’t cure disease. A beautifully carved spoon doesn’t stir more efficiently than a plain one. And yet - when the world is stripped of beauty, story, and imagination, we feel it deeply. Something essential goes missing. The heart hungers.
The natural world is steeped in patterns of balance and harmony. From the spiraling symmetry of a sunflower to the graceful arcs of a seashell, these deeply patterned harmonies mirror a universal rhythm that humans instinctively recognize. The placement of a bead, the arc of a handle, the composition of a painting each can stir a sense of resonance. The artist can even cleverly interrupt what is expected and create a whole new experience through the change in the patterns we are used to. Without knowing exactly why, we feel it and are innately pulled to keep on engaging. In a world that often feels chaotic and dissonant, surrounding ourselves with beauty, both natural and human made, helps us reconnect with something transcendent.
In our highly utilitarian society, it’s easy to make an argument for “I don’t really need this.” We’re told to prioritize productivity, efficiency, and utility. Everything is streamlined, mass-produced, and algorithmically optimized. But when we reduce life to what is strictly necessary for survival, we overlook a truth that every artist knows intuitively: to truly feel alive, we need more than what feeds the body. We also need to feed our hearts and minds as well.
Art isn’t frivolous. It’s how we create meaning in a world that can feel disconnected and dark. When you use a beautiful mug, you’re not just drinking your morning coffee. You’re connecting to the unique vision and insight of the person who created it. It inspires you. When you wear a piece of jewelry that speaks to your personal style it can transform how you feel as you move through the world. There is a connection where the artist spoke to a resonant frequency inside of you - something in that necklace said, "You are not alone. I feel it too." The desire for this kind of connection is a mark of our humanity.
So no, you don’t need art to survive. But if you're looking to feel grounded, inspired, and seen in a world that often feels cold and disconnected, then enjoy the things you find beautiful without second-guessing it.