My fascination with colour led to to research about colour science and pyschology (dip Colour Therapy), and eventually application of its effects to my art.
Colour is more than just aesthetics; it triggers hormonal reactions with have effects on both body and mind. And so my personal and artistic drive to provoke notions of liberation, truth and emotion makes colour a powerful medium for expression. In particular, I employ the science of colour to liberate positive emotional effects.
How does it work? Scientifically, photoreceptor cells of the retina in our eyes convert colour into electrical impulses. These impulses travel to the brain and trigger reactions in the endocrine system (hormone release) which can have consequent affect on our emotions, and even cellular growth and functioning, or general health. This is why colour has the power to affect mood.
Also on a physical level, our different organ systems vibrate at different frequencies which relate to certain colour frequencies. So it is thought that we subconsciously connect to colour on this level, and form subcoscious associations. Our sexual organs for example vibrate as a frequency similar to the vibrations of the colour red; which also happens to be the colour universally linked to vitality and energy, blood, passion, vigour, sexuality.
Individuals further attach feelings, memories, and cultural meanings to colour as a result of life experience. In this way then, colour associations can feature in the subconscious and carry (or trigger) physiological, emotional and spiritual connotations or responses accordingly.
Combine this with the integration of semiotics and Freudian psychology, and the result is the ability for a work of art to be designed in ways that encourage release and positive emotional responses, liberating the senses.
- Promote positive outlook and mood
- Increase productivity
- Encourage creative visualisation
- Create a calming environment
- Inspire and motivate Promote good health
- This means that custom designed work can be designed to promote specific moods for inidvidual or environments.
Interestingly, it is also possible to understand and draw conclusions on what the body or mind needs for 'release' or 'balance' from the types of artwork that someone is drawn to. The subconscious gives us hints with our colour, image and shape preferences.
So I believe the viewer should allow themselves to be drawn to an art piece, and understand not just what a work of art means, but also what the piece is trying to tell us about ourselves.
- Leni Kae (c)
