How Art Can Change Your Life
Life Lessons from Artists Past and Present
by
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What if you were told that communication specialists, economists, ecologists, marketing professionals and governments could learn more about using little resource for maximum rewards from listening to Bach’s Chaconne than they would from sitting in on long lectures, reading how-to manuals or attending conferences? What if you were told that Rembrandt, through his astounding series of self-portraits, could inspire you to a more honest and comprehensive process of self-analysis than most psychiatrists or self-help books can? What if you were told that Michelangelo, through his technique of sculpting, could show you the power of a clearly defined vision better than most corporate consultants or personal coaches could?
Because great artworks came from men and women who forged a higher order of reality through the fertility of their genius and the power of focus, they become for us readymade models to help us in our own personal growth. In a time- and attention-poor world, it is almost too good to be true when we stumble upon models that someone else has suffered and willed into being, which we can readily apply to bring order to the chaos in and around us.
Art can help us achieve perspective. It can help us find ourselves. It can help us understand ourselves. It can help us transcend ourselves. And our limitations. It can help unite us. It can help us find meaning and fulfillment. It can give hope. Provide focus. It can ask discomforting, but necessary questions for our growth. It can show us a vision of God. And a vision of the divine within us.
When art asks questions that demand introspection, we as art lovers are shaken out of our stupor and forced to cut out the clamour around us to listen attentively to what our spirit says in response.
Also, when art shows us other-worldly visions, we are reminded that there exists a realm beyond this, which we hope for always, sense sometimes, but know inadequately. When a great artwork brings us in touch with the great flawed spirit of its creator, and when we feel the blood and tears that went into its creation, we are given the gift of hope. A hope that we too as flawed spirits can endure and prevail, can create and share, can experience, yet transcend. When through art we see a higher order of reality, we are given the chance to stand on the shoulders of giants.
So, the more we try to understand and immerse ourselves in art, the more we realise that it is not a want. It is a need.
German philosopher Nietzsche exhorted us to “look at art through the prism of life”. This book aims to look at life through the prism of art.
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About the Book
Is art just a nice-to-have? Or is it deeper, far more integral...even necessary?
Is there something from Beethoven to help us with that career setback? Is there something from Shakespeare to help us with our relationships? Is there something from Rembrandt to show us who we really are?
It is these, amongt other questions that this book probes; through painting, music, literature, architecture, sculpture, photography and films…spanning cultures - from Europe and Africa to India and Australia, and artistic periods - from the ancient to the modern.
Leveraging his considerable experience as a research professional, Ivan Fernandez combines riveting insights from diverse artists of the past and the present, a dazzling variety of astonishing facts and powerful questions for us to reflect on.
In language that is simple, elegant and imbued with passion, Ivan utters an urgent, sincere plea; urging us to draw actionable life lessons from art that can help us rise above ourselves. To make a masterpiece of our own lives. And as a guide on this epic voyage, he takes us on a fascinating journey inward; ploughing not merely the depths of artistic insight, but of the inscrutable human spirit itself!
“Fernandez talks about ‘bliss’ - a term I’ve often used. It was through writing about my practice, together with making my work, that I found my ‘bliss’. I wish I’d had Fernandez’s book back in those times when overwhelming doubt inhibited my practice. He brings enlightenment to thinking about art and why artists do what they do. This can help give an artist conviction, and therefore confidence, and a lay person a heightened appreciation of art. This most enjoyable read will bring great insight to artists and lay people alike. A truly inspiring read!”
- Archibald Prize-winning artist and art teacher, Cherry Hood
“Ivan Fernandez’s cross-disciplinary approach - infusing insights from philosophy, literature, music and art - make this book a great read!”
- Sculptor, Vince Vozzo; member of ‘the decade club’
(exhibited at ‘Sculpture by the Sea’ ten times or more)
About the Author
An industry research consultant by profession, Ivan Fernandez puts on his researcher hat, to ask and answer questions about art that he is deeply passionate about.
A die-hard classical music fan, he plays the violin and paints primarily in acrylics.
His consulting career was preceded by roles in content development for television and the web, copywriting for the advertising industry and teaching Visual Communication at University.
He lives in Sydney, Australia, with his wife, Marion and their two children, Raphael and Olivia, and their Labrador, Rio.
His paintings, photographs and musings on art can be found at www.ivanfernandez.org
He is on Twitter @ifernandez74