An artist is a creative person who expresses themselves through the visual, auditory and performing arts. These art forms often challenge or reflect social norms, evoke emotion and provoke thought and dialogue, affecting not only individual lives but also entire communities. They contribute to cultural heritage, bringing beauty and meaning to human existence.
The question of what makes an artist is very personal and it varies widely from one person to another. Some people believe that an artist must have a specific training or education. There are many ways to learn the skills of art and it is quite possible that a famous artist could have started without any formal qualifications or education. What is more important for an artist to have, however, is a strong desire and commitment to create. Then they must have a solid foundation of knowledge about the history of art and master the technical skills of their chosen medium.
A lot of artists have a particular purpose in mind when they create their work, whether it is to express a certain idea or feeling or simply to touch and transform lives. This may influence how they perceive themselves as artists and in turn, how others see them. For example, a web designer who successfully claimed her status as an artist in a Colorado Supreme Court case in 2023 was able to get around a public accommodation law that would have required her to design wedding websites for same-sex couples.
Whether it is for the sake of clarity or in order to make a more meaningful connection, it is good for people to agree on the definition of an artist. This way, they can move forward with their creativity in a clear and unified way.
In fact, many of the world’s great art movements began with a small group of people who shared the same belief that the visual arts are an essential part of human experience. Then they worked together to develop the necessary skills and support networks in order to create and promote their works. This approach has worked well in the past and it can still be successful in the future.
The broader meaning of an artist is also reflected in many different languages and cultures. In Chinese, for example, an artist is referred to as ‘Yi Zhu Jia’ (
Whatever the precise definition of an artist, it is clear that it is a very powerful and personal thing. Creating art is not just about a certain style or technique but it is about a mindset, a way of seeing the world and our dynamic place in it. This makes the role of an artist a crucial aspect of our human existence and one which we should cherish, nurture and protect. It is time that we all start to think of ourselves as artists.