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What Do Your Art Choices Say About You?

What Do Your Art Choices Say About You?

The other day, I was sitting at my desk contemplating the wall scenery. That’s what you do when you’re stumped, hoping some brilliant plot point emerges so that you can finish up the new novel you’ve been working on for months. As I looked about, it occurred to me that artwork can reveal a lot about your personality. I suppose that makes sense. After all, I chose all the pieces in my office. But, had I considered what others might think when they looked at my walls? Did I realize that I was revealing a great deal about myself to the astute viewer? And more importantly, was I in touch with the meaning of those pieces and how they reflected my mindset?

Calling Dr. Freud

So let’s see. I have a collection of silent movie posters. Colorful and bold even though all those pictures were shot in black and white. Hmm. Am I someone who is fighting his own nature? A guy who is shy but able to evoke an outgoing personality when pressed? And am I struggling to find my voice much like those silent films? Maybe.

Little Mouse

I love Stuart Dunkel’s whimsical pieces. Especially when a mouse (our kindly hero) sneaks donuts and candy. I think that imagery is clear. The little guy always wins in the end. Yes, he does! At least on my wall.

Joan & Clark

Another corner of the room displays an MGM poster from Strange Cargo, a 1940 film starring Joan Crawford and Clark Gable. It’s an odd jungle movie about escaped prisoners, survival, with a strong nod to the importance of God in our lives. I know. That doesn’t sound like Joan’s typical fair. No glamour. No shoulder pads. Nonetheless, Gable still wants to wallop her—the big gorilla (but he never does; that would be crossing the line). It’s a romantic adventure in the least romantic of settings. And a damn good film. I’ve watched it a few times. Each time, I see something new. Like that faith-based God message. A real surprise for a Crawford/Gable film.

Collage

Behind the sofa, there’s a large oil of mixed media. I’m not sure what this piece says about me. Perhaps, I’m complicated. Another interpretation: I’m really messed up.

Oh, the Games We Play

So the next time you visit someone’s home, glance about and try to determine what the artwork is communicating about your host. I think it might be an interesting exercise. If it’s an Elvis painted on velvet, well, you know you’re in the company of people with excellent taste. I particularly like the one that glows in the dark!

Now It’s Your Turn

So, take a few moments and share with me how your favorite piece of artwork reflects your personality. Just comment below. I can’t wait to see the response.

 

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This Post Has 8 Comments

  1. 29 pieces of art work in my living room and adjacent dining room, 5 of them are mine. The remaining are gifts from other artists. There is also art work in the remaining rooms of the house, including the bathrooms. What does that say about me? I enjoy being surrounded by beautiful creativity and I am one who enjoys receiving.

  2. I’ve got 18 items hanging on the walls; serigraphs, lithographs, water colors, oils, acrylics, and mixed media; realism, impressionism, abstract, and geometric, besides the collections of paperweights, art glass, and Indian pottery. The collections started in the late 60s and continue to grow. I still love what I bought then, so curiously, my tastes haven’t changed in a very long time but do continue to branch out. Guess that says I’m eclectic, stable but willing to explore, and love beautiful and intriguing art, no matter what the style.

  3. I’ll start in my home office. It’s all my work, except photos. All my art involves a controlling framework – like a grid or a small square piece with a square central hole. Within the framework, disorder and dare I say it freedom or chaos takes place. Color, shapes, found objects. All my work is small in scale – framed moments maybe. While it all definitely seems ‘right’ to me I’m not really sure what it says. Or rather how to put it into words.

  4. You are on to something with this hypothesis! In my office are eight framed black and white photographs by Jessie Kalisher: the Ponte Vecchio, Big Ben, a canal in Venice (also showing two gondolas and gondoliers), a river scene in Rocky Mountain National Park, the top posts of the Golden Gate Bridge shrouded in fog, the Grand Canyon, the Washington Monument, and, the New York City skyline (including the twin towers of the World Trade Center). I just realized that the art message In my workspace is: “Get me outta here!” Given that my computer crashed in early November, maybe it’s TIME!

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