What Is Art?

The answer to the question “what is art?” has no single answer. But this is what makes art so alluring and exciting. Art represents different things to different people. Art can take any number of forms and can be appreciated in different ways by different people. What one art lover enjoys, another will dislike intensely. That’s the nature of art.

Just to make the concept of “art” even more complex, different artists interpret the meaning of the word in different ways. Some believe it is an expression of their own feelings and emotions. Others believe that it is a representation of the way in which they see the world. Others simply try to capture the environment around them in the truest form possible.

There are so many different types of art.

Different types of art

When it comes to art, there are so many different types that it can be difficult for someone to list them all. Sculpture, painting, digital media, drawing, architecture… the list goes on. However, there is more to art types than simply different mediums. What about art periods?

As a human race, we have been creating art for centuries, so whether you think about cave paintings or modern art, everything that you imagine can be described as art in one form or another. Here, we take a look at some of the varying art forms out there today, so you can have a greater understanding and knowledge of the major styles and eras as well as their primary characteristics.

Check out our other art articles here!

More about street art

What is street art?

In the later years of the 20th century, street art rose to prominence. Today, some of the best-known artists like Banksy focus almost solely on this medium, so what exactly is street art and what is the message behind it?

Learn more
Read about the world art history

World art history

Modern art encompasses many different art forms, from traditional media such as paintings and drawings to more recently developed approaches that use digital and time-based media to create works that combine both sound and image.

Learn more
Discover the many art forms

Art has many forms

There is no fixed rule that determines what exactly is an art form. There are many different new forms of art for you to explore.

Learn more
Read more about graffiti art

Graffiti art

Although graffiti isn't usually seen in museums or galleries, it is nonetheless an accepted art form. Its aesthetic has actually been included in many artists' work.

Learn more
Sculptures as a form of art

The sculpture art

A sculpture is another visual arts branch which can operate in 3 dimensions. There are several sculptural processes.

Learn more
In handmade arts are used many different materials

Handmade crafts

Many of the materials used to make handcrafted pieces exceed the boundary of the West's tradition of fine art. Materials like wood, metal, textiles, glass and ceramics are often used.

Learn more