Art is one of those rare subjects that invites endless interpretations, shaped by our personal experiences, education, and cultural exposure. Through the lens of outsiders—those unconnected to art and design in their daily lives—and insiders, such as art students and creatives, we see both contrasts and unexpected commonalities. This post explores the intersections, divergences, and potential bridges between these two groups, highlighting what art means in a world of varied perspectives.
Common Ground: The Universality of Emotion
Despite their differing levels of exposure and engagement with art, both outsiders and insiders agree on one core idea: art is an emotional experience.
For outsiders, art often resonates through its beauty or ability to evoke familiar feelings. Many of them associate art with skillful execution, such as a well-painted portrait or an intricate sculpture, and value the emotions these works inspire. One outsider I interviewed defined art as something that provokes thought but emphasized its accessibility—art should “make sense” to the average person.
Insiders, on the other hand, often focus on the emotional intention behind art rather than the viewer’s immediate response. For a classmate the emotional state of the artist plays a significant role in the creative process. Similarly, another student framed art as a vehicle for expressing feelings in others. While insiders embrace emotion in a broader, more abstract sense, both groups recognize that art’s power lies in its ability to connect with people on a human level.
Diverging Views: Purpose and Accessibility
Where the groups diverge most significantly is in their perception of art’s purpose and accessibility.
Outsiders tend to see art through a practical lens. For them, art often has a clear purpose: to beautify, tell a story or showcase extraordinary talent. Many value the craftsmanship and skills required to create art. To them a used coffee cup on a museum pedestal lacks meaning because it doesn’t demonstrate an exceptional skill.
Conversely, insiders celebrate art’s lack of utilitarian constraints. Art is “free” and unnecessary to justify itself economically. This perspective allows insiders to embrace works like Duchamp’s Fountain or a banana taped to a wall, seeing them as provocations that challenge our assumptions about value and meaning. For them, art exists not to conform but to question and expand boundaries.
This divergence extends to accessibility. Outsiders often feel alienated by contemporary or conceptual art, perceiving it as incomprehensible. “Normal people don’t understand this kind of art—it’s for crazy people.” Insiders, however, are more comfortable with ambiguity, viewing art as something open to interpretation rather than requiring a singular “correct” understanding.
The Role of Context: Framing Art
Another significant difference lies in how the two groups perceive context.
Outsiders often rely on traditional settings, like museums or galleries, to confer legitimacy on art. When something like the Mona Lisa is removed from its frame and placed in an unconventional context, it risks losing its meaning or “becoming something else.” This reliance on formal presentation reflects a preference for established norms that make art easier to recognize.
Insiders, in contrast, are more likely to view context as fluid. Many of my classmates argued that art doesn’t need a gallery to be valid; it can exist anywhere, from a street mural to an everyday object. “Art is whatever you call art.” This openness to context reflects a more flexible, inclusive approach, where meaning is shaped by intention rather than location.
Toward a Shared Understanding – what can we learn from each other?
While the differences between outsiders and insiders may seem significant, they are not insurmountable. In fact, these perspectives can complement and enrich one another.
Outsiders remind us of the importance of accessibility. Their preference for skill, beauty, and clarity highlights the need for art to connect with diverse audiences. Without this connection, art risks becoming insular, resonating only within small, self-referential circles.
Insiders, on the other hand, challenge us to expand our horizons. They push against traditional boundaries, encouraging us to see art in new contexts and forms. By embracing ambiguity and questioning conventions, they invite us to think more deeply about what art can be and how it functions in our lives.
Ultimately, the key to bridging these perspectives lies in dialogue and mutual respect. Artists and creatives can strive to make their work more approachable without compromising its integrity, while outsiders can cultivate curiosity and openness to unfamiliar ideas. By meeting in the middle, both groups can contribute to a richer, more inclusive art world—one that celebrates both tradition and experimentation.
Conclusion: Art as a Shared Human Endeavor
Art, at its core, is a deeply human endeavor, shaped by our shared need to express, connect, and make sense of the world. While outsiders and insiders approach art from different angles, their perspectives are not irreconcilable. Instead, they represent two sides of the same coin, each offering valuable insights into what art is and why it matters.
By embracing these differences and finding common ground, we can create a more inclusive understanding of art—one that values both its beauty and its boldness, its traditions and its transgressions. In doing so, we allow art to fulfill its ultimate purpose: to inspire, challenge, and bring us closer together.
