If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my years as an artist, student, and educator, it’s that art is a reflection of the world around us. It’s not just about what we see—it’s about what we feel, what we long for, and how we process the times we’re living in.
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how art follows the emotional and philosophical state of society—and how we’re in the middle of a major shift right now.
But this isn’t new. It’s happened before.
Art as a Mirror of Society’s Shifts
History shows us that art swings like a pendulum, moving between two extremes:
When the world feels stable and prosperous, art leans toward realism, materialism, and the external world.
When society feels lost, disillusioned, or spiritually restless, art turns inward—becoming abstract, surreal, symbolic, or mystical.
This cycle has played out time and again.
The Renaissance (1400s-1600s) was an era of scientific discovery and humanism, and its art reflected precision, realism, and mastery of light and form. Artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Vermeer meticulously captured the world as they saw it—celebrating knowledge, observation, and order.
Romanticism (1800s) arose in response to industrialization, focusing on emotion, nature, and the mystical—a direct reaction to the mechanization of life. Artists like Turner and Goya leaned into the sublime and spiritual, exploring themes of awe, fear, and the unknown.
Surrealism & Abstract Expressionism (20th century) exploded after wars, political upheaval, and existential crises. Movements like Dada, Surrealism (Dalí, Kahlo), and Abstract Expressionism (Pollock, Rothko) were direct responses to societal trauma—seeking meaning beyond the physical world.
And today? We’re seeing the pendulum swing again.
Where We Are Now: The Shift Toward the Spiritual & Symbolic
We are living in a time of burnout, disillusionment, and transformation. The rise of AI, political instability, climate crisis, and hyper-digital existence has left many people feeling disconnected from themselves and the world around them. And when people feel that way, they turn inward.
We’re already seeing the artistic response.
A resurgence in mysticism, tarot, astrology, and spiritual exploration in creative spaces.
Photography shifting away from polished digital perfection toward raw, experimental, dreamlike aesthetics.
More artists using sacred geometry, light, and symbolic language in their work.
A rise in narrative-driven, deeply personal, and myth-inspired storytelling.
This is not just a passing trend—it’s a cultural shift.
The digital perfectionism of the 2010s is giving way to a desire for something raw, human, and meaningful. Artists are rejecting hyper-commercialized aesthetics in favor of imperfection, emotion, and play. The revival of analog photography, mixed media, handmade crafts, and surreal imagery is evidence of this deep craving for authenticity.
We are in the early stages of a new artistic renaissance—one that is deeply personal, intuitive, and spiritual.
What Comes Next? Predictions for the Future of Art
If history tells us anything, we can predict where things are headed next.
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A Shift Toward Mysticism & Symbolism
As people seek meaning beyond the physical, we’ll see:
A rise in dreamlike, surreal, and esoteric photography & visual storytelling.
More artists incorporating light, energy, and spiritual symbolism into their work.
A return to ritualistic and process-driven art—where the act of creating is as meaningful as the final piece.
2. Art as a Tool for Healing
We are living in a time of collective trauma. Art will increasingly be used as a healing practice, both individually and communally.
More art therapy, community-driven projects, and participatory experiences.
A focus on movement-based arts, sound healing, and expressive play.
Artists integrating meditation, breathwork, and emotional release into their creative practices.
3. The Death of Perfectionism
For years, we were told that success meant polish, brand consistency, and social media-ready aesthetics. That’s dying.
Expect a surge in analog photography, film grain, collage, and glitch art.
Surprise, randomness, and intuition will be celebrated over technical mastery.
Artists will embrace play, messiness, and spontaneity.
4. The Role of Artists & Educators Will Expand
Artists and educators will play a huge role in guiding this shift, helping others reconnect with their own creative voice.
Traditional art education will shift toward intuitive, emotion-driven, and experimental learning.
Spiritual and artistic mentorship will become more valuable than formal training.
The line between artist, healer, and guide will blur.
Final Thoughts: The Role of Art in This Moment
That’s why I’m exploring curriculum design and developing intuitive exercises that help people tap into their own innate language and form of expression, rather than molding themselves to fit someone else’s formal training.
This is work that I would really love to be doing, and I would love to find others interested in the same kind of exploration—whether through visual arts, music, theater, movement, or other creative practices.
My goal is to design experiences that help people reconnect with their creative instincts and use art as a tool for healing—both personal and collective.
If this resonates with you, if you’ve felt the pull toward deeper creative exploration, if you’re looking for ways to express your soul’s language through art, let’s connect. We’re all part of this shift.
Let’s create the future together.
