The pursuit of art can be imagined as a journey through a dark, misty forest. This path of exploration is a solitary one; creation is often a private and lonely process. The places not yet reached remain unknown, and only through the journey itself can the artist perceive the surrounding landscapes—perceptions that only the creator can fully comprehend. Each individual traverses a unique path, just as every artist’s pursuit of creation differs. The variations in creative experience shape differing artistic perspectives. No one can fully grasp the entirety of art; the distance traveled alone is the only measure of artistry. Across all eras, artists face this mysterious forest on equal footing. It is a journey of insight and exploration, a path of cultivation. Should one one day reach an untouched realm, they may attain greatness as an artist.

Perhaps others cannot yet envision the breadth of your vision, or the depth of your artistry may surpass contemporary critical understanding, or the structures of art criticism in your time may take years to catch up. Yet, you remain steadfast in the conviction that you have fulfilled the purpose of your personal journey.

Artistry embodies the nature of communicating both “artistic content” and “artistic value.” It requires three key capacities: the ability to appreciate, to discern, and to judge. These abilities are crucial not only when engaging with the work of others but also when evaluating one’s own creations.

Appreciation refers to the capacity to perceive truth, goodness, and beauty in a work of art. Beyond emotional and intuitive engagement, it sometimes calls for rational and philosophical reflection.

Discernment is the capacity to recognize quality, excellence, and hierarchy.

Judgment is the ability to distinguish categories, directions, and individuality within artworks, and to engage in aesthetic evaluation from a purely psychological state.

These three capacities are not merely exercised through a single sensory organ; they require the full engagement of the body, brain, intellect, spirit, and soul. For instance, when observing an Impressionist landscape painting, as you dialogue with the work, light from the physical world enters your eyes and forms an image on your retina. This image affects your brain, shaping your psychological and intellectual state. You begin to generate imagery, perceive beauty, and feel joy. The experience of spirit and soul emerges, evoking a sense of refreshment and transcendence.

This process—physical, physiological, psychological/intellectual, spiritual, and soulful—is a complete artistic experience. The first three aspects fall within the realm of science, while the latter two belong to philosophy. The distinction between spirit and soul is a topic for further discussion. In essence, the experience of art moves from the external to the internal, from the concrete to the abstract, from the lower forms to the higher forms. This is the process of aesthetic appreciation, which is, in fact, the reverse of the creative process.