Every art lover understands a wide range of artistic styles and approaches. One enduring question in the art community is whether art is subjective and what that means. At West Chelsea Contemporary, we are passionate about art and how people interact with it. Here is a look at the concept of subjectivity in art and how it impacts how viewers interact. 

What is Subjectivity in Art?

The term subjective refers to how a person interprets something. If two people look at the same apple, the objective truth they can agree on is that it's an apple. On the other hand, subjective understanding of what they're looking at can differ wildly. One might see the apple as a reference to the biblical story of the Garden of Eden, while the other sees it as a symbol of freshness and nature. 

Applying the concept of subjective understanding to art can get complicated. At its simplest level, subjective art is any work created based on the artist's feelings and thoughts about the subject. This approach generally employs an expressionistic style, with colors, shapes, and lines meant to inspire feelings or resonate with the artist's thoughts. Subjective art is personal to the artist and attempts to communicate their thoughts and feelings to the viewer. 

On the other hand, objective art is created to explore the subject or medium directly without an attempt at interpretation by the artist. Objective art is made without stylistic "comment" from the artist. It's usually representational, like the objects you might see around you.

Is Art Subjective or Objective?

To complicate these definitions, you also have to consider the viewer of the art. Regardless of whether the piece is intended to be subjective or objective, each viewer brings their tastes, understanding, emotional reactions, and cultural lens to the art. No two people will see the same piece in the same way, making each interaction with it personal and, therefore, subjective. 

The Objective View of Artwork

Some art lovers prefer to view art with as objective an approach as possible. They limit their focus on appreciating the art solely by focusing on objective specifics, such as technique, medium, or accuracy. An objective approach to art is not focused on the artist's intent but only on the details of the work. 

The Importance of Subjectivity

Ultimately, it's impossible to remove subjectivity completely whenever people are involved. Any artist will have some connection to their work and personal reasons when selecting their subject. Each viewer will bring their perspective to the piece when they view it. 

Many art lovers acknowledge that you can never completely remove subjectivity from art. However, whether you lean toward viewing art objectively or subjectively, it will enrich your experience of the work if you include elements of the other approach. If you naturally connect with the emotion of the art, challenge yourself also to appreciate the artist's technical skills, and vice versa. 

Like so many aspects of art, there is no simple answer regarding subjectivity. Far from being a drawback, this is one of the nuances that makes art appreciation enjoyable. 

Interested in Purchasing Artwork? Reach Out Today

Regardless of how you approach art, owning pieces you connect with can be an important way to enjoy the work and express what you value. If you are interested in purchasing art, we invite you to contact us and explore the work that we represent. We would love to help you find art that speaks to you, no matter how you approach it. 

Image Credit: Beach Creatives, Shutterstock