Does art have to mean something?

This question has come recently in my Art Tribe group. Some people worry that their art lacks meaning because they paint intuitively. Others paint a specific subject, but don't really know why.

When they hear me talk about the meaning behind my work, they ask whether there is something wrong with them.

First, NO! There is never anything wrong with you. But also, we really do have to stop this thing of trying to 'fit in' with how we see other artists working. We have to understand that there is no right and wrong and that you can find artists working in many many different ways. Some artists throughout history have said "art must be this way."  Others have objected and said: "I think the opposite - art must be THIS way."

But that's just the loudmouths lol.

Most of us are just making things in our own way without needing to dictate right and wrong.

Personally, I find that the meaning of my work comes once I start making things. Somehow I just figure out "oh that's what I'm doing!" and then that idea guides the rest of the work. I do like to have a concept or theme as it keeps me centered. Otherwise it feels like there are just too many possibilities.

However, there are many good artists who make the work and figure out the meaning later. There are also many who don't make art to express anything in particular, but are interested in ideas such as shape or colour or texture.

It is also common for artists not to be able to explain the meaning behind their work, even if they know there is one. We are visual artists. If we could succinctly express our ideas in words, why would we need paint?

I would also like to say this: imagine a world in which we only have classical music, "high art" films, literary novels, and concept art. There's no pop music to dance to in the kitchen; no romantic comedies; no blockbuster novels for a lazy beach holiday; and no beautiful paintings to hang on your walls.

Ugh!

We spend an inordinate amount of time beating ourselves up for what we're not. How about we just celebrate ourselves for what we ARE!

Make paintings with deep meaning if that brings you joy. Paint trees because you love trees, or people because you like the challenge. Paint colourful abstracts for no other reason than you love them. Or make  political statements in your work if that is important to you.

It's become a cliche to say 'do you' - but really ... do you and stop wondering if you should be like someone else!