By Janet Sellers
“What any true painting touches is an absence—an absence of which without the painting, we might be unaware. And that would be our loss.” —John Berger, The Shape of a Pocket
Art appreciation is subjective. One person may see beauty in the sunrise, a blade of grass, or glistening drops of dew on a spider web. Another may ignore these and go about their day unaware of small splendors. A key factor in all of this is awareness and the moment of awareness; art may reach one person and not another. The close inspection of the bark of a tree holds an abstract beauty without us ever seeing the whole tree. Likewise, the splashes of paint on a canvas may inspire thoughts of energy, excitement, and freedom.
In The Shape of a Pocket, art critic John Berger wrote about painters like Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and Francis Bacon, as well as lesser-known or anonymous artists, emphasizing how their works capture the struggles and dignity of everyday people. Throughout, Berger’s writing reinforces a belief in art’s power to connect people across time and space.
A reflection of the maker
Contemporary art has long been considered a reflection of the artist instead of a reflection of who paid for it to be made, as was the case in Renaissance patronage. The decline of aristocratic patronage after revolutions (French and American) led artists to find new ways to sell their work. Salon exhibitions and art dealers emerged, helping independent artists gain recognition. The Impressionists (late 19th century) painted modern life—cafés, streets, and leisure—breaking from historical and religious subjects.
With Modernism and Abstract Expressionism, artists became completely independent, exploring personal and social themes. Galleries, collectors, and museums replaced churches and monarchs as the primary buyers of art.
Contemporary art often grapples with complex social, political, and cultural issues, reflecting the diverse and rapidly evolving world we live in. In contemporary art, ideas often matter more than technical skill and focus on meaning rather than imitating reality. Art questions and critiques reality, and even distorts it. Our world is reflected in many kinds of art, expressing contrasts of beauty, chaos, environmental issues, and even digital culture.
Artistic autonomy: a chosen beauty
Art market interests have begun a return to art as beauty and refreshment. Perhaps now, in contemporary art, instead of portraying what has been paid for by a controlling hierarchy, be it religion, governments, advertising and money, art as a true human expression is making its return. Art materials are easily obtained, and anyone with a pencil or brush can make something and exhibit it.
Many artists are embracing vivid colors, organic forms, and detailed craftsmanship again, balancing abstraction with recognizable beauty in dreamlike landscapes and soft, emotional portraits, or using light and space to create immersive experiences. Beauty is making a comeback, in bold, fluid and perhaps even unsettling ways.
Janet Sellers is an artist, writer, educator, and speaker and offers local forest meditation hikes. Contact her at
janetsellers@ocn.me.
Other Art Matters articles
- Art Matters – Amateur: art just for the love of it (3/1/2025)
- Art Matters – The arts as medicine; Palmer Lake Art Group plans new venues (2/1/2025)
- Art Matters – Art, energy sites, and hugging hormone (1/4/2025)
- Art Matters – How does art make people feel good? (12/5/2024)
- Art Matters – It’s not just decor: Art creates a space and creates our sense of place (11/2/2024)
- Art Matters – October is Arts Month, aka Artober (10/5/2024)
- Art Matters – Real local art made for real people (9/7/2024)
- Art Matters – On the superpowers of art and daydreaming (8/3/2024)
- Art Matters – Chautauqua: “the most American thing in America” (7/6/2024)
- Art Matters – Spring and summer’s Art Hop: art and play (6/1/2024)