In this current global crisis, we may be feeling anxious and unmoored. Many people find it easier to cope with this uncertainty by keeping busy, embarking on new self-improvement regimes that offer the comforting illusion of control in an unpredictable world. Others may find solace in the opposite, using this ‘downtime’ to withdraw and reset.
Whichever camp you fall into, it is always beneficial to try to just be in the moment. Looking at art (or making it) is a great way to slow down, reflect, and just be.
Please find attached a link to Mindfulness in Art from the National Gallery of Ireland.
https://www.nationalgallery.ie/art-and-artists/highlights-collection/mindfulness-and-art
Mindfulness is deliberately pausing and paying attention to the present moment, without judgment. It gives us time to connect with ourselves and the world around us, fully experiencing what’s going on. We can practice mindfulness by spending time looking at an artwork, and it can be a very helpful tool to calm and settle our busy minds.
