Psychology and Art

Throughout human history, a core component of what we value as a race has been creativity - the creation of art and music. Civilisations are marked by carvings in cave walls and paintings in palaces. It only makes sense therefore, for psychology and art to be inextricably linked.

The connection between art and wellbeing has long been integrated into our lives - we are told to take a break by pursuing an artistic endeavour, we are praised when our hobbies are creative. We have also been exposed to art therapy, a process that allows clients to explore their thoughts and feelings in a non-verbal way. It has shown to be widely effective in treating mental health conditions ranging from PTSD to substance abuse disorders. At the heart of all of this is the field of art psychology. 

The value of a beautiful artwork increases when the artist themselves becomes a part of the process. The creation of art has been dubbed as reflecting the depths of the artist’s psyche, their innermost fears and desires are channelled onto a blank canvas. This journey from thought to manifestation has been researched thoroughly in this field. The cognitive mechanisms and neural pathways involved in any creative process have unveiled much about the different ways in which people think, as well as insights into coordination within the brain. 

More interestingly, art psychology has looked into the study of beauty and artistic appreciation. There are various factors that influence aesthetic preference and judgement, although context seems to play a big role. Along with peer influence, one’s physical setting, such as in a museum or art gallery, seems to shape one’s opinion on a given piece of art. 

Art, as well as psychology, are ways of making sense of ourselves and others. When looked at together, the field offers critical insight into the human condition, and the power of creative expression on the human psyche. Linking art and science is crucial to our progression as a species.