Is Art Subjective or Objective?

Art has been around for centuries and is constantly evolving as subject matters, techniques, and the role of art change.  However, the most common definition of art is an object that conveys aesthetic qualities that can be sensed and experienced by an individual or group.

In this article, we’ll explain the differences between subjective, objective, and no objective art. Read on to learn how different artworks can be described with these terms.

Subjective Art Definition

Subjective art is the art that is created by the artist themself. The art is made based on personal feelings and emotions felt when creating it. Subjective art has been around for a long time, but it has gained popularity in recent years due to the rise of social media and digital technology.

With subjective art, artists try to create personal and unique pieces for each individual. When creating subjective art, artists use their own emotions and feelings to express themselves through their work.

Examples of Subjective Art

Subjective art can vary drastically in methods, mediums, and styles. There are so many ways to create subjective art that it is hard to narrow down what exactly subjective art is. Some people may look at one piece and think it's an abstract painting, while others see it as a surrealist work.

The most common form of subjective art is the expressionistic style which uses emotion-filled colors, shapes, and lines to convey feelings or ideas through artistic expression.

Objective Art Definition

Objective art is a term used to describe art created to be an object that can be seen and touched by humans.

Objective art is the opposite of abstract art, with no meaning or purpose. Objective Art can be described in different ways:

• The artwork is created to be seen and touched by humans.
• The artwork has a clear message or meaning to it.
• The artwork makes sense about the world around it.

Examples of Objective Art

Objective art is a type of art created to be seen and interpreted by an individual. It can express certain feelings or thoughts that are not easily said or shown in words. The most common example would be a painting on canvas, but it could also be a sculpture made from stone, glass, wood, or other material.

What is non-objective art?

Non-objective art is a type of art that does not have an explicit subject matter or meaning. The artist's intention and meaning are often open to interpretation. For example, artists may use non-objective art to express their feelings and thoughts on current events or social issues.

Non-objective art may also describe a specific type of abstract art that is usually geometric and typically aims to convey a sense of purity and simplicity.

Is Art Subjective or Objective?

The question of whether art is subjective or objective is an interesting one. It's a topic that has been debated for years.

Many would say that art is subjective because it is an expression of the artist's perspective. Instead, the artist uses their unique skills and style to convey their thoughts and emotions to the audience.

Art can be subjective because it is an expression of personal perspective. It can also be subjective because we are all people with different tastes and preferences. For example, subjectivity in art is often used to explain how individual people may respond to a work of art in entirely different ways. 

Art subjectivity is often based on personal opinions, experiences, beliefs, and feelings rather than on agreed and established facts. For example, while a contemporary sculpture or painting might be considered “beautiful” to one person, another viewer may perceive the same piece as “ugly.” Despite this, the material art object remains unchanged.

Is Art Criticism Objective or Subjective?

Art criticism is often subjective, and the art critic's opinions are based on their personal experiences. Personal preference toward aesthetics and form can form a critique. 

However, art can also be viewed objectively with quality determined by elements of technical accuracy, principles of design, and social and cultural acceptance. There are objective or even scientific methodologies which can be used to assess and critique art pieces.

An excellent example of this would be a review of a painting, which will have an opinion about whether it is good or bad. The critic may like it because they feel that it represents something that they wish to express as an artist, but someone else may dislike it for various reasons. Art preferences are highly personal and will differ from one critic or collector to another.

Explore Original Artworks

To explore both objective and non-objective artworks, visit the Eden Gallery collection of original artworks. Eden Gallery is a trusted source of original contemporary art, with galleries found across many major cities worldwide.