The Value of Art

I am weary...body and soul. The last month and a bit have been a bit of a nightmare, with constant problem solving, form filling in and having to continuously "pivot". All of my plans for the year ahead have had to be rejigged, reorganised and rescheduled. All due to the tree falling on the house during the aftermath of cyclone Alfred.

Dancing Damsels Mixed Media, Ann Russell 2025

I am aware that in the big scheme of things, I don't have much to complain about, nonetheless it has been gruelling and I am spent. I have moved twice in the last month, firstly to emergency accommodation which necessitated living out of a suitcase for four weeks, making do and being in limbo - a bit of a shock to the system when you are expecting life to continue pretty much as it was. Then we had to join the queue for rental accommodation, which our insurance company has advised us we will need for up to 12 months. We are fortunate to have secured a house not too far from our property but going back to being renters has been another unexpected hurdle to overcome.

I miss the birds at home

I miss many things about our home and wasn't expecting the grief that wells up in me every time I visit. It is full of memories and at least for the next months, none will be made there. I miss the trees, the birds and other wildlife and I miss my studio. Even though it wasn't actually damaged, I am unable to work there - our property is a worksite which means that from a H & S point of view, we are not allowed onsite after building commences.

Fortunately, there are two things in the rental property's favour. The first is that it is large enough for me to have a dedicated workspace so that I can keep making my art. For me, as with most artists, making art is like breathing, and having to reduce or shelve the my practice for the coming months would be hazardous to my health and that of those around me!

The second is that it comes with a number of picture hooks already in the walls, which means I am not required to spend the next few months staring at pristine blank walls. I have brought a number of works of my own and others because being able to look at them brings me some peace. In their book Art as Therapy, Alain de Botton and John Armstrong maintain that Art is therapy for our psychological frailties, being able to perform as:

1. A corrective of bad memory

2. A purveyor of hope

3. A source of dignified sorrow

4. A balancing agent

5. A guide to self knowledge

6. A guide to the extension of experience

7. A re-sensitisation tool.

   Source: de Botton, A & Armstrong J, (2013), Art as Therapy, London: Phaidon Press, pp. 58-59

The art I have been able to bring with me and hang on the walls performs all of those functions. I have portraits of three of my cats which I painted myself and which, even though I have two of the cats here with me, balances me and gives me hope. The portrait I did of my two kids as mer-people does much the same, as well as correcting bad memories. I have numerous others of my artworks, including a weaving that I did when I was still at school about 40 years ago and which has been in my parents' house until their recent move into a nursing home.

Painting of my old cat Matilda is here with me

There is also the work of other artists - my limited edition print from Shaun Tan's The Red Tree, which reminds me that someone else understands exactly how I feel on my worst days; the photo of a powerful owl taken by a photographer friend which reminds me when we were visited by one of those beautiful creatures on our home property; and a small landscape done by an artist friend reminding me of her, of course, but also of the beauty of nature that I am missing.

From The Red Tree, by Shaun Tan

So art is something that is proving to be extremely valuable to me at this uncertain and stressful time, both in the making and in the viewing. I believe its value is always such. It is worth so much more than the sum of its parts and its ability to match the couch or carpet in colour.

Recently, I have posted several articles about how little artists earn compared to other professions. And yes, making art is my profession. It is not a hobby for me. Along with nature it is the source of comfort and hope, balancing me and my memories, so I can continue to function in an unpredictable; draining; and sometime dangerous world. Surrounding ourselves with art performs a function that few other things can. So I highly recommend you do that. If something speaks to you, buy it and hang it on your wall. Doing so helps not only you but the artist who made it.

Artwork in Arana Hills Library