Why I Do Art Badly
A reflection on the importance of creative pursuits
Years ago, I read The Gate to Women’s Country by feminist science fiction author Sheri S. Tepper. I actually hated the book. However, there was one thing that really struck me. In this particular female-dominated society, every woman was required to study three things. One sport, one art, and one science. All three were required to become a well-rounded adult.
Somehow in our modern western culture, a balanced education has been de-valued and the arts marginalized. Knowing someone who can sing or draw or dance seems special and not part of daily life. Schools defund music, art, dance, theatre and other arts programs in favour of the sciences, by which they mean chemistry and math (and not social science, somehow). Tepper’s idea that women should study at least one thing in each area was shocking to me even back in 1987 when it was published, and our western education systems have moved even more away from the arts than when I was a younger woman.
Art is incredibly important.
If you think arts are not important, then you likely have not read a book, been to a movie, chosen clothing that reflects a certain style, or even put up a poster in your home. Art reflects society back to itself and allows us to grapple with what we see…
