The Story of Art - 2

As part of my personal self-study, I’m currently reading, The Story of Art by E.H. Gombrich, published by Phaidon.

The first half of the book serves as the written component, while the second half, contains its corresponding photos.

This will be an ongoing blog…I am sure, until I finish reading this book.

When I read, I love to marinate on what I’m reading.

Sometimes I contemplate a quote, or deep dive into an inspired thought spiral.

I envision these, “The Story of Art” blogs to do just that—codify some of the thoughts that come to me, how they apply to me and my practice, and the questions it inspires.

The book begins where art first began, its purpose and utility from our prehistoric days.

Pictures were the first form of words.

Art was the first means of written communication and language.

This makes perfect sense.

Everyone can understand a picture and identify how the picture serves in their personal, everyday life.

The Totem pole was one of the first means of writing—a form of codifying a story, being able to pass down wisdom, tradition, history, and culture to each subsequent generation.

Egyptian hieroglyphics served the same purpose, where art and images served as a form of written language.

As an artist, I’ve never really taken the time to ponder this—the importance of art in our lives.

Art has always been a selfish endeavor for me—or at least, it always felt selfish.

Art was always a pass-time I loved and have enjoyed ever since I was a young child.

Reading this allows me to ponder just how impactful art is in our lives and for us as a species.

Art was never highlighted (to me) as this important to civilization.

I never looked at what I did as an artist as something deeply important; however, with each passing day, I am starting to believe that it is.