In The Eye Of The Beholder?

We have all heard the saying that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In other words, what one person may find beautiful another person may not. As an artist I am often surprised at what other people see in my work, particularly my abstract work. I think it is amazing how our brain will create stories just by trying to interpret what we see.

In The Eye Of The Beholder?

Seeing What Was Not Originally Intended

What triggered this thought was my latest piece. Which just happens to be called ‘The Eye Of The Beholder‘. This is an acrylic pour painting where the cells have managed to create a creature’s head in the middle of the painting with a large eye. Like a lizard, crocodile or dragon with teeth emerging from a hole and looking straight at you. I think most people looking at this painting would think much the same. Or maybe you see something different?

A Different Interpretation

I mentioned in an earlier blog about my hammer smash paintings, how the above abstract painting to me suggested flowers blooming through the canvas. But someone who really liked the painting suggested to them it looked like dancers dancing. And that is fine with me!

True Even In More Clear Cut Subjects

The fact that the eye of the beholder may see something different to what the artist intended can also be be true for more straightforward pieces. But often it is a compliment! Take this piece of photo art called ‘Walking The Dog In Cortona‘. I get lots of comments about the beautiful architecture, brickwork etc. Nobody ever mentions the guy walking his dog. And yet without the placement of that man with his orange jacket, the dog leads and the dog, this would be a very boring image. I had been standing looking down the alleyway thinking it was lovely but boring. And this guy came out of the door and it was like Christmas! I knew it would make a great shot. And it is okay that nobody mentions him, but, for me, that placement and pop of orange makes this image.

Leave The Viewer To Interpret

I think for me this is an important point. People will see different things in an image to perhaps what the artist originally intended. Trying to enforce our thinking, as an artist, on the viewer spoils the freedom of imagination. After all, part of the fun of wandering around an art gallery or sitting and observing a piece of art, is what we can see in the art.

So, what do you see in this piece? How would you describe it? Let me know what you think. I have deliberately not included the title to avoid giving you my view. You can click on the image to see what I called it and the description. Do you see the same thing?

Before you go

My name is Dorothy Berry-Lound an artist and writer. You can find out more about my art and writing at https://dorothyberryloundart.com.

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Thank you for reading!