Art, just like many other academic subjects, has many subsections that come together to form one unit. Science has biology, chemistry, and physics. Math has algebra, geometry, and calculus. Art, on the other hand, has sculpture, illustration, architecture, painting, etc. You can even go so far as to include literature, theater, and music into the arts. However, unlike other academic subjects, visual art can be divided into two distinct categories: personal art and professional art. Many art critics debate about whether an artist should incorporate their personality, emotions, and character into professional works (making it personal art), where the division between personal and professional art lays, etc. This is what makes the great debate between personal and professional art so complicated, hard to understand, and difficult to opinionate on.

The ability to create art is unique to humans and separates us from other living species. It helps define us because of the creativity and hard work that it involves will never be the same between any two artists. Since art is linked with our experiences, emotions, dreams, and so forth, many artists choose to incorporate a large amount of this into their artwork; this inspires their artwork (typically called a “muse”). Personal artwork allows the artists to attempt to communicate something to the audience member, although how it is interpreted varies between the viewer and his/her own personality, previous experiences, etc. For example, take a look at The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dali. Each time it is viewed, somebody has a different reaction to it and/or can see something new that they had never seen before. What the audience see sways them different ways. This is what occurs during personal art: the artist creates a reaction from his/her audience, communicates something with them, and makes them think about what is occurring in the artwork.

Professional art, on the other hand, diverges from emotions and stories and instead dives into functionality and finances. This is can be seen in architecture, industrial design, and other art forms in which the artist was not guided by his/her emotions when creating the piece, but was rather focused on how it would be utilized by the audience. For example, the St. Louis Arch will always just remain an arch. No matter how many times the audience member sees it, it does not change them emotionally nor make them think about something differently. While it will always remain a great monument and a wonderful piece of architecture, the arch will always just be an arch. It is professional art: made for wonderment but not meant for personal connections.

There are occasions, however, when personal art and professional art can come together. Architecture and industrial design, although usually consisting of professional art, can sometimes be guided by the designer’s own fascinations and inspirations. Just think of the last unique building that you saw that really stood out among others, or a household item that had a truly beautiful design on it (such as the designs on phone cases, unique pieces of furniture, etc.). The best example of personal and professional art coming together, however, may be in animated movies. Countless artists come together to create something that is aimed at making a profit, but at the same time the artists/animators pour all of their emotions and storytelling abilities into it to where the audience cannot help but connect with the characters and plot. Although it is hard to accomplish, personal and professional can come together to achieve both functionality, profit, and a connection with the audience.

Art consists of literature, music, theater, and most importantly: visual art. It allows us to reflect our past and present, hopes and dreams, and experiences and stories, all without writing a single word; it speaks all languages of the Earth. While art may be hard to understand sometimes, it is easy to understand that the large division between personal and professional art is one that can be bridged. Art defines us as humans; it should be kept it that way.