Art Reboot

46 Vision includes accumulated understanding, and the wisdom to which it leads. Nor does one artist’s vision match that of an- other. We all see essence differently, and that is important to the evolution of consciousness; it is the combined wisdomof creative individuals, capable of expression both within the languages of reason and beyond, that raises consciousness most effectively. The same is true of great portraiture, where we value not just a physical likeness but the inner spirit and personality of the sitter. Artists like Francis Bacon can take this so far from literal appearance that we aren’t sure whether we are looking at a por- trait of the sitter or of the soul of the artist. All art is, to some extent, a portrait of the artist, as memorably summed up by George Bernard Shaw: Every artist dips his brush into his own soul, and paints his own nature into his picture. Vision is not confined to the artist’s side of the art object. Audience vision in grasping meaning, often in ways not con- sciously intended by the artist, is an equally vital part of the pro- cess of art. People without the capacity to see essence may initially be in awe of the artist’s capacity to do so, and to be able to express it so powerfully, but by becoming involved in the pro- cess they will begin to acquire visionary sensibility for them- selves. Through art they can begin to see as artists see, effectively breaking down the barrier between artist and audience. Artistic vision is a crucial part of the conduit between our two ways of knowing, both joining and integrating them. What