The current exhibition at the gallery was titled 'Bloodredlife' by Will Gill, a Canadian artist from Newfoundland. When you see the art at a glance, it looks quite cheery, with bright colours and exciting brush strokes. Once you spend time with each of the pieces however, they are very dark. The artist wanted to express art of death, or near death experiences. I love artwork that illustrates a darker perspective and tells a story. Scenic artwork, although beautiful, does not invoke the same thoughts and inspiration from my imagination as more abstract and storytelling pieces. I loved the dark aspect to the artwork because, as the art gallery tour guide also stated, our world is exposed to so much violence through video games, movies, news, books, comics, etc. Illustrating it through art allows students to question the other violence they see in other areas of their life, and allows them to interpret the amount of violence they see or don't see. It is so important to teach students today the ability to question their world around them, to critically think of why things are they way they are, and if they should be that way, or even stay that way. Students with this ability I believe will become more successful in their lives by not accepting things in their life as easily, and recognizing the changes they can make in their lives.
"Just because something is, doesn't mean it should be"
So true! Yes, art is not so much about what we "like", as so many people assume, but more about what we "feel". The most powerful artists know how to create images that express their own emotions and evoke a strong response from viewers. I appreciate the way you picked up on Carolyn's belief that children should not be sheltered but their dark experiences should be open to discussion. I think sometimes children try to protect us from their dark emotions, knowing that we would be upset by them. So if we are not upset, but we find ways to open discussions calmly, such as through this kind of art, they may be healthier and grow up with an understanding that dark thoughts and emotions are a part of being human and also that they can be controlled but it is ok to acknowledge and not supress them. Today the Fred Penner people mentioned that he did not talk down to children - I think that is an important approach to remember and combine with Carolyn's advice.
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