A few weeks ago, I went for a walk with some friends. On our walk through the trails of Waukesha, Wisconsin, we found a bridge which held a treasure underneath it. Graffiti covered almost all of the open concrete, with each piece beautiful in its own special way. This week we are talking about art as inspiration. (Stay tuned for the rest of my 22-part series!)
Graffiti has been used to inspire many for years. Some may not believe that an act that is seen as illegal, could inspire others to do great things, but it can.
Famous artist Andy Warhol was inspired by Basquiat, a famous early graffiti artist in the late 1970s. They started collaborating and created art which Warhol referred to as some of his best work. See, an artist that was known for his pop art was inspired by graffiti and used it to make his work better. Warhol's work went on to inspire many other artists to create art, a never ending cycle.
Graffiti does not only help those who are already doing well in the art scene. It can help with anything. Graffiti inspired me as a writer. In the beginning of this article, I shared a story of how I came upon a goldmine of graffiti. As I snapped pictures of each piece, I became inspired as a writer and an artist. I felt like I needed to share the great magic that graffiti has with others. Each piece I found inspired me and got me thinking about various topics that I do not think are touched upon as much as they should be. So, I found my purpose...to share my love for art and my opinions about various topics through my writing.
Even though graffiti inspired me, it is not the only form of art that inspires. All art is capable of inspiration.
As you walk down the street, keep an eye open for art in your community. Trust me, it is everywhere. As you glance around at the art, you may be inspired on the spot or maybe 10 years later. The art will linger in your mind and you will remember it. You may see colors that look well together and that might help you make a decision when painting your house. You may see an image that will remind you of an old friend that you want to reconnect with. You might share that art with someone and it may inspire them. Art is a never ending cycle of inspiration. Sometimes it can be a conscious inspiration, and sometimes it is unconscious. You never know when its impact will come, though.
Faron Manuel, a docent in the Clark Atlanta University Art Galleries, wrote an article about how art inspires change. Even though the whole article is brilliant, he made a point that is the central point to my article. He discussed, "How the messages in art and culture can inspire human beings to aspire to a greater reality." Like I said, art inspires everyone in different ways. Keep your eyes open to the beauty around you, don't be afraid to share it with others and be open to the inspiration art can have.
