No Man is an Island?

Some artists work best in isolation. O’Keffee relished being “deliciously alone”, whilst Munch painted “The Lonely Ones” and his work was exhibited in “The Loneliness of the Soul" at The Royal Academy in 2021. 

In contrast, Paris in the 1920’s was home to rich and productive collaborations between writers, artists, designers and poets like Hemmingway, Picasso, Breton and Coco Chanel ("The Paris Wife" is a great read for insight into Parisian 20th century artistic circles). Moreover, artist colonies exist worldwide, the biggest in Beijing said to be home to 5000 members.

Back in the here and now, lockdown isolation alongside growing use of technologies have created unprecedented ways to interact online, as well as unprecedented mental health issues and loneliness. But yet Art still remains a vehicle that bridges gaps, creates ties between people, and engenders engagement. Being part of an Art group, a creative team, or a inspiring community can be of benefit emotionally, artistically, mentally. My own experiences are testament to this. 

COMPLEX, CHALLENGING, and CHANGEABLE were the words I previously and negatively associated with working with others. I wasn’t good at understanding different agendas, I was terrified of being let down, and I didn’t know how to create mutually agreeable outcomes. I confused my own innner demons with real life. 

Fast forward to my ’now’, COLLABORATIVE, CERTAIN and CONNECTING are words I use to describe my experiences with the Inner Art Team. We share ideas and inspire each other, I feel secure in our work together, and emotionally we thrive in our support for each other. 

This blog is about parallels between art and life my experience of developing working relationships within a business relates to being an Artist. But is being an island a problem or a blessing? 

There's no ’should’ or ‘must not’ in people’s indiviudal Art journeys! Artistic practice encompasses COMPLEXITY, CHALLENGES, CHANGES, COLLABORATION, CERTAINTY, and CONNECTION. We’re each led by our own Inner Artist and as the journey of life ebbs and flows, so do our interactions and relationships with others. Our ways of making artwork change too. Alone or together we still make Art progress. 

For the times you are in need of artistic collaboration, inspiration and connection - Inner Art is here for you. For one-to-one Inner Art Tuition, at Inner Art Group, or on an Inner Art Course, Inner Art Tutors are experienced and practicing artists, and we welcome all types of artists and art learners to Inner Art Studio in Reigate.