What Is Art?

As history has proven, there is no definitive or correct answer to this question as far as I know. Art, whether it is visual, musical, theatrical, the written or spoken word, or any other medium, has taken many twists and turns throughout the history of mankind. Visually speaking, from the early prehistoric paintings discovered last century on the walls of the caves in Lascaux France, to the harsh, radical and vibrant graffiti found on the walls of buildings, trains, and back alleys of modern society, art has always been a means for human beings to communicate their thoughts and ideas. To communicate these thoughts and ideas, artists have at times expressed themselves in a sometimes non-literal way, leaving room for the viewer to ponder, contemplate, and interpret the subject matter. Other times the message is direct, with no room for questioning the meaning or subject matter whatsoever.

Why do you make art?

As a visual artist, my influences span all of history, from the cave painters of yesteryear to radical modern graffiti artists of today, and every artist, style, and medium that falls in between. Through color, line, shape, form, balance, and movement, along with a variety of contemporary concepts and theories, I seek to communicate my personal thoughts and ideas for the viewers to contemplate. Some of the main themes that run through my work are spirituality, mortality, and the balance between reason and faith. My fascination with the unanswerable questions of life and the unknown has driven me to express my attempt to reason through the mysteries between the light and the dark. This endless mission of soul searching and the pursuit of knowledge are the foundation of my inspiration, and this should be evident in most of my work. Other ideas that are reflected in some of my work involve various contemporary issues that deal with political as well as environmental topics. I utilize text, natural and manufactured materials, and icons from various cultures throughout history. By placing these in a contemporary context, I give new meaning to concepts and objects that may no longer be recognizable in their original form or format. They may have been distorted and misinterpreted throughout history, even up to the point of becoming esoteric and/or obsolete. I do not seek to be objective in my work. In fact, my intentions are to raise questions and invite various interpretations, allowing the viewer to form their own opinions as to the meaning. All of my work is filled with symbolism and metaphors, with most having a deep and spiritual significance for me.

Eric D Ward

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