Happiness is a choice.
Our world, beautiful as it is, provides many opportunities to feel anger, sadness, and anguish. Whether it's systemic government policy, personal adversity, or existential crisis, we as a society experience pain both individually and as a collective. Yet creativity provides an outlet for hope in the future and a zest for life that expands across generations and cultures speaking to the core essence of humanity: a basic need for joy.
Artists often lead us to understand society's unconscious desires, which is why art is such an important, unstoppable force or our species - from ancient cave paintings to the renaissance to the selfie. Perusing NIAD's expansive collection of works, one finds many depictions of people smiling, colorful paintings of favorite objects, and the general sense that many of the artists are motivated to make work that radiates positivity.
It's a political act to prioritize enjoyment. Fear is used as a tool to manipulate and control thoughts and actions, but it's undeniable that connection and laughter are necessary for our survival. Without joy, there is no hope.
What is the ripple effect of love and positivity? How can we reshape our future by encouraging people to thrive?
Through this collection of paintings, ceramics, drawings, and soft sculpture, a theme of levity emerges to remind us that Joy is a Very Serious Subject.
