Art As A Catalyst For Self-development And Personal Growth

When we create art, we often do so for an audience in mind and when we appreciate art, we step into the artists’ world and see issues through their perspectives. Amidst it all, where do we find our standing in the realm of art? How does art enrich our own lives and achieve better versions of ourselves! Read on to find out how art can be a tool for self-development and personal growth!

Builds confidence 

The beauty of art lies in the freedom it gives to the artist. There is no set of guidelines to follow, no rules to say what we are doing is right or wrong! Precisely because of this, no art is perfect because it is human. We then learn to embrace imperfections as we create our art from scratch, being open to making mistakes and turning them into guides to improve the next time round (Kniveton, 2017). With little room for judgement, art empowers us to explore our potential and helps us to develop a stronger sense of self.

Encourages emotional expression

Painting on a canvas, moving to the beat of the music - art encourages us to externalise our feelings into the open and delve into our subconscious that is hard to verbally comprehend (Shukla, 2022). Artistic expression facilitates engagement with our emotions, helping us to gain a better understanding of our emotional landscape (Jin et al, 2022). Creativity becomes a tool for us to discover ourselves in our neverending journey of growth.

Fosters critical thinking

Appreciating art is a skill in itself. When we attempt to decipher what an art piece is trying to say, our critical thinking skills are strengthened as we examine and process complex layers of details (Cash, 2022). Such interactions with art hone our analytical thinking as we can evaluate our surroundings with a keener eye, especially in a volatile and rapidly changing world. 

Art is certainly a powerful springboard for personal development in all areas - boosting self-esteem, fulfilling psychological needs and training critical thinking. With these in mind, let us all embark on a journey of exploration and empowerment through art! 

Written by: Shernice Feng

02/2024

Sources:

Cash, E. (2022, December 17). Combat Art: An Avant-Grande Approach to Developing Critical Thinkers. Expeditions with MCUP. https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/419/article/873626  

Jin, X., & Ye, Y. (2022, August 9). Impact of fine arts education on psychological wellbeing of higher education students through moderating role of creativity and self-efficacy. Frontiers. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.957578/full 

Kniveton, C. C. (2017, August). How Can the Art Making Process Foster a Stronger Sense of Self?. University of Northern Colorado. https://digscholarship.unco.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1002&context=arp  

Shukla, A., Choudhari, S. G., Gaidhane, A. M., & Syed, Z. Q. (2022, August 15). Role of Art Therapy in the Promotion of Mental Health: A Critical Review. National Library of Medicine. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9472646/