What does art reveal about us?
- Martina Bonofiglio
- Nov 11
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 12
What is it that intrigues people to attend a theatre performance, a painting workshop, or a concert? Are we going just to do something different, or is there something deeper that we long for? And what happens when we actively engage, using body and mind, with the creative process of making art?
These are some of the questions that started our reflection on the role that art can play in stimulating profound conversations, innovative thoughts, and meaningful connections. In this post, we take inspiration from different perspectives to explore the concept of art and the benefits that experiencing it can have for us.
How can we define art?
To ask what is art feels like a profound question comparable to what is love? what is life? because art, as a subjective human experience, can be defined in many different ways. Some definitions focus on art as a powerful means to communicate complex ideas, experiences and emotions that words would not be able to express, to make the invisible visible; others conceive art as "[..] the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power". Other perspectives emphasise art as an ability or skills that can be developed though training or practice (e.g., the art of storytelling) and we could also find the term art as simply referring to a group of creative disciplines such as music, theatre, literature, dance, etc..
Does this mean that, for example, animals or nature have nothing to do with art? When the sky lights up in shades of orange and purple, when trees color their leaves in emerald green, or when birds engage in courtship rituals, can we include them in a definition of art?
If we look back in time, even philosophers who are renowned for their inquiry into existential questions have long debated the significance of art. Plato interpreted it as a form of imitation - mimesis - of the real world, appealing to passion and emotion. As such, art was for him an imperfect copy of the truth. Aristotle recognized art as a pathway towards knowledge and emotional release - what he called catharsis. Nietzsche, centuries later, reframed art as the vital creative force that gives meaning to existence, the meeting of reason and passion, the Apollonian and the Dionysian forces. We can also look at art as a window into the past, carrying stories of who we were and who we are, revealing beliefs, fears, and hopes of entire generations. In this sense, art becomes our mirror and our memory, evolving and shifting across cultures and times.
Whether art liberates us from the world, teaches us something new, or ignites our creative existence, is probably not for anyone to decide but for everyone to choose.
“What art is, in reality, is this missing link, not the links which exist. It’s not what you see that is art; art is the gap.” (Marcel Duchamp)
It is probably between those lines, between someone definition and others', in the space between asking this question and reflecting on it that we are actually making the magic happens, we are making art.
What happens when we experience art?
With art, we might experience wonders, inspirations, and connection with the self and others. It can spark our creative thinking and fuel our imagination. The benefits that one could derive from actively engaging with singing, painting, dancing, and other forms of art have been recognised by different disciplines. Studies in neuroaesthetics and art therapies, for example, show how art has a great impact on our cognitive functions, emotional resilience, and psychophysical well-being.
When engaging with art, our brain’s visual, emotional, and cognitive centres activate, starting a multifaceted process of interpretation and sense-making:
The sensory-motor system perceives qualities such as colour or movement.
The emotion-valuation system is linked with feelings of reward and liking.
The knowledge-meaning system concerns the prior knowledge and personal experiences that enable someone to find significance in the artwork.
"When people are moved by a powerful piece of art, they are deriving pleasure from their ability to make sense of the experience—what Vessel calls “pleasure from understanding.” That pleasure seems to come from within" (Kirsten Weir).
Fascinating insights on the benefits of art also come from clinical and therapeutic settings. Dancing has been found to improve balance and functional mobility in patients affected by Parkinson’s disease; listening to music has been shown to have a positive effect in the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Painting is linked to improved cardiovascular health and reduced anxiety, and working with clay has been linked to changing wave patterns in our brains in ways that reflect a relaxed, meditative state.
As we all share an innate potential to create, feel, sense, think, and imagine, art is also a powerful collective experience that taps into our shared essence. Have you ever bonded with a complete stranger over a dance? Or felt a stronger connection with someone when singing together? If we expand our perspective to include the larger group, we realize that art brings us into community with one another. It becomes a means for increased empathy, shared understanding, and meaningful connections.
What is art for you? And what role does it play in your life?
How do we use art at Sparks?
What if we attended a dance class to learn about risk culture? Is it possible to create a music that resonates with our team's values? How would you paint change?
At Sparks, we integrate art into our facilitation services and interactive workshop design as a creative outlet that invites us to explore, to be creative and intuitive. In addressing complex questions, art becomes an empowering and safe space that encourages to stay open to our emotions, experience novelty, acquire new perspectives, embrace ambiguity and risks, engage the senses. You can expect colours, movements, sounds, and active imagination for a unique and memorable experience: a gem for triggering, sensing & feeling different perspectives and insights.
If you are curious to learn more connect with us!
Best wishes,
Martina
---
Sources
Aristotle’s aesthetics (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy). (2021, December 3). Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-aesthetics/
art noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes | Oxford Advanced American Dictionary at OxfordLearnersDictionaries.com. (n.d.). https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/american_english/art_1art
Council, E. E. A. (2023, June 28). Unlocking creativity: How art affects the brain. East End Arts Council | Long Island Art & Music Gallery. https://eastendarts.org/how-art-affects-the-brain/
De Simone, F., Kourtesis, P., Collina, S., Nicolais, F., Presta, R., & Montanari, R. (2025). Editorial: Psychology and art: Exploring new ways of interaction. Frontiers in Psychology, 16, 1542235. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1542235
Eddy. (2025, March 11). The neuroscience of creativity: Exploring how art affects mental health and cognitive function.RMCAD. https://www.rmcad.edu/blog/the-neuroscience-of-creativity-exploring-how-art-affects-mental-health-and-cognitive-function/
Manuelametra. (2025, May 19). Art and neuroplasticity: The intersection of creativity and brain health. Manuela Metra. https://www.manuelametra.com/en/art-and-neuroplasticity-the-intersection-of-creativity-and-brain-health/
Martínez-Vérez, V., Gil-Ruíz, P., & Domínguez-Lloria, S. (2024). Interventions through art therapy and music therapy in autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, language disorders, and learning disabilities in pediatric-aged children: A systematic review. Children, 11(6), 706. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11060706
Nietzsche’s aesthetics (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy). (2025, February 14). Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/nietzsche-aesthetics/
Plato’s aesthetics (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy). (2024, July 22). Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/plato-aesthetics/
Weir, K. (2025, September 1). What happens in the brain when we experience art — How to unleash the power of neuroaesthetics for health, well-being, and social change. Monitor on Psychology, 56(6), 54. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2025/09/art-mind-brain
Comments