Art as a Powerful Catalyst
For many, there is a belief that art is a powerful catalyst that can affect positive change in the world. Art is said to have undeniable healing powers, not to mention its ability to assist in raising awareness. Art with its far reaching and versatile benefits can affect all areas of human development and personal growth. Scientifically it has been proven that art can affect a person’s physiology, impact brain wave patterns, and the nervous system. The result is remarkable as it can in fact create a rise in one’s serotonin levels.
“Char creates a vibrant and warm sense of nostalgia that removes the participant to any familiar place they may have been before.
Biologically the function of serotonin is complex and multifaceted, modulating mood, cognition, reward, learning, memory, and numerous physiological processes. With that thought in mind then, I propose that as many others have suggested, Art has the potential to raise awareness in individuality, humanity, relationships with other people and one’s connection to the environment. Visual images have specific qualities that inspire, lift us up, and bring on a rush of positive feelings, or can shock an individual in viewing aspects of reality and conditions which can prompt one into action.
Artists who use art as a tool to increase our level of higher consciousness are instrumental in activating positive change and are invaluable contributors to society. Interestingly, the quest for discovering more about the consciousness of art, came from reading a bio recently of a local Airdrie Artist who participated in Airdrie Regional Arts Society’s online ARTember gallery and Pop up Gallery at Bert Church. Prior to the experience of putting these two events together, I had not heard of Char Vanderhorst’s artwork although I had unknowingly seen it around town. Specifically, one instance comes to mind as it is on a power box on Railway Ave in Airdrie.
“Char Vanderhorst is a local Airdrie Artist taking on the art community one stunning peice at a time.
Char Vanderhorst Graduated from the University of Manitoba School of Fine Arts with a Diploma of Fine Arts 2009. She mentored with Sharon Graham Sargent who was in 1983 Nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for Artwork done on behalf of World Peace. Over the course of her career Char has become an award-winning artist participating in many exhibitions within her community and Alberta. Char’s work as a professional artist has her specializing in such media as watercolour, oil, acrylic, collage, stone tile, and graphite. She has been a member of many art clubs and societies wherever she has lived, sharing her energy and commitment to arts.
Char’s artist statement defines her purpose as an artist quite clearly as she says “My passions and vision are for painting images that portray international cultures. When painting I want to communicate their ancient history and ethnic beauty in my artwork. I enjoy painting nature-striving to capture its beauty in its purest form.” Char says “Painting landscapes which connect me to the natural sacredness of the earth is what I love. I incorporate symbols of plants, water, skies, and trees that represent healing, life, wisdom and harmony.”
As a participant in art appreciation it is easy to see and make the connection Char shares with creating and representing life through art. Her style is breathtakingly colourful and bold in its expression of what we see around us. Artwork that defines individuality and a unique quality that is representative of life and place, that which can easily influence a viewer towards inspiration; artwork that defines what it means to lift the viewer up and bring on that rush of positive feelings. By combining natural landscapes and hearty colour pallets, Char creates a vibrant and warm sense of nostalgia that removes the participant to any familiar place they may have been before. There is a sense of community in her work that is unquestionable, and extremely inviting to look at.
Char Vanderhost excels in creating works of art, that challenge the consciousness of art. Her artwork invokes response and one may even agree certainly has the impact that creates a connection to what ever the subject matter which is being expressed. To see more from Char Vanderhorst and her inspiring visionary artwork visit www.charvanderhorst.com or www.facebook.com
