There's a great show at the Vancouver Art Gallery right now: Multiple Realities: Experimental Art in the Eastern Bloc, 1960s–1980s. So great (in my opinion) that in the past two months I've gone twice. There is something so raw and so real about people continuing to create even when it is not encouraged - even when it is not allowed.
It brought to mind something I read in Rick Rubin's book The Creative Act: A Way of Being:
"Most who choose the artist's path don't have a choice. We feel compelled to engage, as if by some primal instinct..."
And, it's got me thinking; sometimes it feels that we live in a world that often prioritizes productivity, efficiency, and bottom lines. (And don't get me wrong - I am one of those productive, efficient and bottom-line driven people!). Artists remind us that beauty, meaning, and human connection matter just as much.
Art isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.
It’s the language of our souls. It's the thing that makes us stop, look, feel, and remember what it means to be human.
Artists remind us of something essential: We are not machines.
Art shapes how we see the world. It challenges our perspectives and makes space for emotions that words alone can’t capture.
Art has this sneaky way of getting past our logic and defences. Cutting straight to the heart. It confronts us. Provokes us. It soothes us. It makes space for emotions we don’t always know how to name.
Artists are the ones who remind us to slow down. To look. To feel. To ask questions we might not otherwise consider. Their work, whether through painting, music, writing, film, or dance, helps us process the complexities of being human.
It’s no coincidence that in times of crisis, we turn to art—to songs that comfort us, films that transport us, stories that make us feel less alone.
But beyond personal solace, art plays a critical role in society.
It drives cultural shifts.
Look at any moment of upheaval in history, and you’ll see that art is always there, shaping the conversation, pushing boundaries, and demanding attention. It sparks revolutions. It holds up a mirror to the world, reflecting both its beauty and its flaws. Think about the paintings that defined entire movements, the novels that shifted public consciousness, the songs that became anthems for change.
Without artists, we’d lose some of our most powerful tools for progress.
Art doesn’t just reflect the world—it shifts it.
And yet, in a culture obsessed with measurable outcomes, artists are often undervalued. Creativity is seen as extra—something nice but not necessary. But imagine a world without music to lift your spirits, without films to transport you, without books that make you feel less alone. Imagine a world without colour, without rhythm, without stories that remind us who we are. Without poetry that gives language to heartache, without music that moves us to dance or cry.
And on a personal level? I’ve felt its impact in ways I can’t always explain. There have been moments in my life where a book, a song, or a piece of art reached me in a way nothing else could. It gave me clarity when I was lost, solace when I was grieving, inspiration when I felt stuck.
And perhaps even more profoundly, I’ve seen the impact of art firsthand through my own child. Watching him grow into his full being as an artist has been one of the most moving experiences of my life. From those early classes at Arts Umbrella to the moment he created something that took my breath away, I’ve witnessed the sheer power of self-expression. At 21, he continues to create fearlessly, pushing boundaries, exploring new ideas, and proving that art isn’t just about talent—it’s about courage, perspective, and a deep commitment to bringing something beautiful and meaningful into the world.
To the Artists: Keep Going
If you create—whether it’s with words, paint, sound, movement, or something else entirely—please, keep going.
Even when it feels like no one is paying attention.
Even when it’s hard.
Even when the world tries to tell you that what you do doesn’t matter.
It does. More than you know.
Resources to Inspire Creativity:
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Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert – A must-read on embracing creativity without fear.
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The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron – A transformative guide to unlocking artistic potential.
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The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin – A meditative exploration of the creative process and how to cultivate artistic flow.
What piece of art has changed the way you see the world?