ART = LIFE

ART = LIFE

Michele Ogilvie, MFA; Upper School Visual Art Faculty: Ceramics/Sculpture

 

A very long time ago, let’s say roughly 35,000 years the hands of a cave-dweller created the first known Zoomorphic sculpture that has been named Lion-Man of Hohlenstein-Stadel.  The 1939 discovery of this roughly twelve-inch-tall hand-carved mammoth-tusk ritual object, as wells as over 200 stone Venus figurines from various parts of the world allows us a glimpse into humankind’s earliest examples of creative, symbolic expression. Artifacts carved, sculpted, and painted by anonymous individuals throughout history not only hold the legacy of human life on Earth but also reveal our collective search for meaning, aesthetics, and utility. Art is the guardian of our heritage, our cultures, rituals, beliefs, and curiosities. It is the common language that escorts us through historic doorways to our present musings and future contemplation.

At the level of learning to make art in school, it is often thought of as an elective, an activity that is fun and a welcomed distraction from academics. It is of course all of these things. Yet, when an individual or group dedicates their life to self-expression such as the diversity of artists that students learn about in our K-12 Visual Art classes, it has reached a level of commitment that allows us to see the greater scope of what art is, how it reflects history and culture, and how a valued artist comes to be.  

On a philosophical level, I ask my students to consider the many ways in which we view the world around us and how these perceptions are shaped by our individual and collective experiences. We take note of the many things that shape a life and a personality including one’s family, culture, opportunities, economics, politics, religion, and social media.  It becomes clear that we are constantly and inescapably navigating the expectations and dynamics of both chosen and chance circumstances.  Our purpose calls on each of us to reach towards our greatest good; to allow for mistakes, to let go of perfection, to be kind to ourselves and others—to acknowledge that we are all here on this planet—to learn, and sometimes—to forgive.

We view art as we view life. Art in all of its various forms reflects life. Art brings us closer to the authentic expression of humankind’s survival, determination, and resilience. If you understand art—you understand connections and abstractions—as art is, at its highest—a manifestation of personalized thoughts and feelings into form. It is that way with music, poetry, painting, and sculpture—in all things that channel the heart through the hand or the voice. Art on a psychological level can also serve as a map to the subconscious—the subconscious of an individual, as well as that of a society.

When teaching about art and artists from around the world I ask my students to consider not only such things as form, surface, craftsmanship, and aesthetics—but also about each artist’s experiences, obstacles, and choices. We respectfully acknowledge the privilege of peeking into their stories, their shadows and their souls. To present one’s art can sometimes feel like sharing a secret. What does an artist’s creative work tell you about their life? How do you feel about their story?