Art's true function

Art's true function is to inspire us, mirror our thoughts, and embody our emotions.  When words are not enough, we turn to image and symbol to speak for us.  They are a conduit to all we contain within and a way of reflecting and recounting where we have been, where we are, and where we are going.  Artistic expression is far more than self-expression and has much more astonishing power.  Artistic creativity offers a source of inner wisdom that can provide guidance, soothe emotional pain, and revitalize your being.  More important, it is a wellspring that enlivens, rejuvenates, restores, and transforms and it exists within everyone for health and well-being.  Expressing yourself in deceptively simple ways -- through drawings, paintings, sculptures, photography -- uncovers this natural medicine within.  By tapping your creative source, your ability to express yourself through images, you come to know yourself more fully and deeply, access the intuitive powers within you to heal, and naturally nurture the soul.  Quite simply, art is good for you and may be as important to your overall health as balanced nutrition, regular exercise, or meditation.

 

from The Soul's Palette : Drawing on Art's Transformative Powers by Cathy A. Malchiodi

 

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