What ART does to the brain

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” - Edgar Degas

Art can be like peering into a looking glass that’ll let us jump into the future, past, and even present. Its capability to change or add to our perspectives, thoughts, and assessments of life is fascinating. Art has the same effect on our brains as how a person communicating directly to us would, but instead, we would just be viewing a piece of art.

Art is known to positively influence the brain. Research conducted by Newcastle University revealed that viewing art positively lit up the moods and lives of elders in nursing homes. Additionally, students have shown to have a direct correlation between their association with the arts and their grades in numerical and literacy means of education.

Our brains are incredible. They’re always hard at work, especially when looking at a new painting. Its first instinct when looking at art is often to make sense of what it’s viewing. It will search for any faces, patterns, or essential details. Not only will the brain’s conscious functions turn on, but so will some of its unconscious functions. This way, art triggers our brains to start working and exercising their ability to think complexly.

Art helps improve the brain’s thinking skills. Art’s power is undeniable and it’s all due to its ability to communicate with the brain. It may just seem like colors on a canvas to some, but it truly acts as a teleportation device to a whole new world. It opens our minds to new possibilities or even to things happening right in front of us that we didn't even realize.

- Written by Liyana Zaman

Works Cited

Byer, Josh. Everything Can Change In A Moment. 13 Mar. 2020. Fine Art America, 2022 Fine Art America, fineartamerica.com/featured/everything-can-change-in-a-moment-josh-byer.html. Accessed 1 July 2022.

"How Does Art Affect Culture and Society?" Masterpiece Mixers, www.masterpiecemixers.com/art-affect-culture-society/#:~:text=Art%20influences%20society%20by%20changing,of%20a%20society%27s%20collective%20memory. Accessed 1 July 2022.

UAGC Staff Member. "How Looking at Art Can Help Your Brain." The University of Arizona, 9 Dec. 2021, www.uagc.edu/blog/how-looking-at-art-can-help-your-brain. Accessed 1 July 2022.