About Oil Painters
Oil painters are professionals who convey emotions, ideas, and social messages through creative expression. They typically use their observation skills and techniques to engage in dialogue with themselves and the world through visual works. Unlike soldiers, dictators, or criminals, the primary purpose of oil painters is not destruction, domination, or deviating from norms, but rather the pursuit of beauty, thought, and individual perspectives.
While soldiers have the role of protecting their country and people and engage in actions related to war and defense, oil painters, even when depicting conflict, use art as a means to express peace and humanity. Dictators often employ fear and repression to strengthen their power, whereas painters explore free thought and perspectives, sometimes using art to challenge authority. Compared to criminals, oil painters often express societal contradictions and injustices from an artistic viewpoint rather than transcending moral and legal boundaries.
Oil painters focus on delving into the depth of human experiences and emotions, depicting histories, societies, and individual stories.
On the Importance of Leaving a Historical Cultural Heritage as a Painter
During the flourishing period of oil painting, particularly from the Renaissance to the Baroque period in Europe, oil painters held significant cultural status. The artists of that time received protection and support from nobility and the church, and their social standing was relatively high. However, they played a different role in terms of social influence compared to soldiers and political leaders.
During this period, soldiers and political leaders, especially dictatorial monarchs, had the power to directly shape history through war and the expansion of power. For example, figures like Spain’s Philip II and France’s Louis XIV made decisions that affected the fate of nations, expanding territories and reinforcing control.
In contrast, oil painters reflected societal values and aesthetics and took on the role of visually recording historical events. Their works often contained political messages or addressed religious themes, with commissioned portraits and religious paintings symbolizing the power of the ruling classes. Renaissance painters, in particular, created grand murals and decorations for power holders, serving as guardians of culture.
However, oil painters did not directly influence war or politics. Instead, they contributed by expressing the cultural and spiritual aspects of society and leaving a legacy for future generations. Their works commemorated the achievements of rulers and soldiers, sometimes serving as critiques of society, but it was rare for them to play a role that changed the larger currents of history.
In summary, even during the flourishing period of oil painting, painters engaged with history in a manner distinct from soldiers or dictators, with their influence primarily limited to the fields of art and culture. Nevertheless, their works continue to be valued as important cultural heritage today.
About Contemporary Oil Painters
Contemporary oil art, like its predecessors, may not directly influence political and social movements but continues to hold cultural and ideological significance. Similar to historical oil painters, modern oil artists reflect various themes in their works, such as social and political events, environmental issues, and matters related to race and gender, conveying messages in visual form.
However, today’s artists possess greater freedom and are able to approach political and social themes more boldly than in the past. While past painters often had to adhere to the wishes of nobility and the church, modern oil painters can pursue self-expression more freely. With new platforms such as the internet and social media, they can reach a broader audience with their messages.
Nonetheless, they remain indirect influencers of history, affecting primarily on conceptual levels. Contemporary oil painters play important roles in culture by raising societal issues and exploring new aesthetic values. For instance, they may create works addressing climate change or human rights issues, raising awareness in society, but their power to effect direct policy changes is limited, making their influence indirect.
Overall, contemporary oil art, like that of the past, primarily engages with the spiritual aspects of culture and society, contributing to the recording and reflection of history rather than directly influencing its major currents.
About My Artwork “Leo”
My piece “Leo” was created during the COVID-19 pandemic. It embodies the hope and regeneration we seek as we navigate through challenging times, reflecting the process of finding a better tomorrow.
Thank you for reading, and I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s event! 😊
