To appreciate art is about understanding the most profound emotion, its meaningful realization, and validation of purpose and intention.
That's the uplifting lesson I learned from a visit to an art gallery in White Rock, British Columbia. It's a city by the sea where arts, history, and culture thrive amidst the test of time.
An art gallery may be different from the usual place to visit in the present times. It may not be welcoming but intimidating to others interested in or appreciate fine arts.
Back in my home country, the Philippines, I've learned to admire and appreciate works of art and masterpieces in the Cultural Center since 2012. Since then, I've carried the same passion and admiration whenever I visit another country or place with high regard for culture and the arts.
In Metro Vancouver, British Columbia, every city has a public art gallery open to everyone, and White Rock Gallery is one of the most beautiful places to be. It was my first ever Art Gallery experience in Canada and a meaningful experience.
Nowadays, people choose modern forms of entertainment and have yet to discover and learn about the joys of visiting an art gallery or exhibit. However, fine artists and art enthusiasts have devoted their time, resources, and money to making art more relevant in today's generation.
What makes art galleries intimidating to others is that we need to appreciate and decode their meaning from the artists' perspective or point of view. We couldn't interpret abstract paintings or even find meaning in realistic images.
With our smartphones, we can take a raw picture of a place, edit it, and call it art. It's the most accessible form of art we can do. However, fine art demands time, energy, emotion, and soul to create a more valuable masterpiece, so paintings and sculptures are expensive.
We tend to ignore or snub expensive things because we can't afford them. Like fine arts, some wouldn't appreciate its value because they can't relate to and find meaning in a painting. But to afford it isn't just about owning it. It's also about enriching our life experience and worth as human beings just by visiting an art gallery, even once in a lifetime.
Art is part of our culture, and a deep appreciation and admiration give us a particular connection with our community. Art evokes various emotions depending on what the artists want us to feel. It makes us joyful, sorrowful, awed, and puzzled. It moves us, touches our souls, and makes us love at first sight.
As I viewed the gallery, some paintings attracted my attention, drew me closer to scrutinizing, and finally gave meaning to them. It gave me happiness and a sense of belonging to a community of artistic people who have the desire for understanding, passion, and motivation for self-expression.
©️ 2022 Del Cusay