“A piece of art comes to life, when we can feel, it is breathing, when it talks to us and starts raising questions. It may dispel biased perceptions; make us recognize ignored fragments and remember forsaken episodes of our life story. Art may sometimes even be nasty and disturbing, if we don’t want to consent to its philosophy or concept, but it might, in the end, perhaps reconcile us with ourselves. ("When is Art?")”
— Erik Pevernagie
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Art has a miraculous way of healing the parts of us we didn't even know were broken. As Erik Pevernagie writes, “A piece of art comes to life, when we can feel, it is breathing, when it talks to us and starts raising questions. It may dispel biased perceptions; make us recognize ignored fragments and remember forsaken episodes of our life story. Art may sometimes even be nasty and disturbing, if we don’t want to consent to its philosophy or concept, but it might, in the end, perhaps reconcile us with ourselves.” When was the last time a piece of art or music completely changed your perspective? Share your experience in the comments below!
About this quote
Art is rarely just something we hang on a wall or gaze at from a distance; true art is a mirror reflecting the hidden corridors of our souls. As Erik Pevernagie eloquently reminds us, a masterpiece truly comes alive when it breathes with our own unspoken emotions, challenging our biases and whispering secrets we've long tried to forget. In the quiet moments when a painting disturbs us or a melody breaks our heart, it is often awakening parts of our life story that we abandoned in the rush of growing up. Life, much like art, demands that we confront the messy, unedited fragments of our existence. When we allow ourselves to truly feel rather than just exist, we open the door to profound self-discovery. Even the most uncomfortable truths and unsettling experiences serve a purpose, gently guiding us away from denial and toward radical self-acceptance. Ultimately, the journey through art—and through life—is about finding reconciliation within ourselves, making peace with our past, and learning to love the beautifully flawed masterpiece that is our own story.
Photo Credit:
Photo by Yusuf Evli on Unsplash
