Empathy and Art
When some artist friends recently mentioned an upcoming gallery exhibition with the theme of “empathy”, my interest was peaked. They said I had immediately come to mind and may want to look into it. Long story, short (I’m not a writer!). The above 3 paintings have been accepted and will be available for viewing this May at Canopy Studios Art and Wellness. I have always known that I am a very sensitive person (my family members may remind me time to time, as well), and I express through colours, marks, and a few words…. But I have deep empathy, and feeling for others. It pains me to know that other people and animals are suffering. Art is my outlet and greatest passion. I suppose I think of both art and empathy as a “shared experience”…. The times where I have been in darkness, and expressed need through painting, were moments in time captured with a paintbrush. I have heard that empathy is like putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. I felt comfort in the freedom of my art, and found healing in the process. I paint for the process….and have no trouble with the “letting go” of the art. And I suppose it then serves a new purpose… and I can understand how when someone resonates with my art, they somehow also connect with a shared experience when I’d painted the work. I want others to see and feel calm, hope, and compassion when they are in the presence of my art. It’s almost like, after I’ve painted, the viewer can decide to wear my shoes…or it’s like, I am taking their own shoes when they look at my art. I am foggy in writing this as I’ve been quite sick this past week with a flu bug. One of the worst I’ve ever had, and still quite weak…. these harder days make me appreciate the good ones…. I paint on all the days… the good, the hard, the ones where I am exhausted…. But creativity has given me joy, health, healing…. and an outlet to express empathy when I cannot find the words. And it’s a good thing I have beautiful people in my life that are writers…. I have included a beautifully written response on how my art and empathy may be linked. Here is my friend, and art collector, Krystyna, and what she had to say…
In her words,
“Well, when I was going through infertility, pregnancy loss and chemo because of my molar pregnancy, your art resonated with me. I know art is perceived differently based on one’s own lived experiences and I felt your art embodied my lived experience at that time. I believe you’re able to incorporate empathy into your art because you are an empath yourself. You feel deeply. And that translates into your art. You created a piece of art just for me, a complete stranger at the time, because you knew that I was experiencing grief and trauma. It’s your your innate desire to help heal and make the world a better place for human and animal kind. And your kind gesture was such a bright light during an incredibly dark time in my life. You incorporated empathy into your art by listening to my lived experience, and through your gift of art, created in patterns and colours what words could not express. You incorporated your love, kindness, and compassion into every brush stroke. Your art was a warm hug when I felt alone in my grief. That’s how I feel you incorporate empathy into your art.
And the beautiful animals you paint and donate to animal organizations to raise awareness for those who have no voice. That’s incorporating empathy into art. It has a positive impact in the world. You’re a powerful force in the world Allison."
-Krystyna W.
Calgary AB, Canada
The paintings above are available for purchase here https://www.allisondawrant.com/available
“Hold Onto Hope”, “Nurture”, “Learning to Pace”
