On creativity and artistic stagnation

Creativity is just an external expression of the internal thoughts. A creative person wants to make something as soon as he comes across an idea, the idea might have originated from internal thoughts or as a result of response to an external stimulus. Even the internal thoughts are as a result of some or the other external happening only, for in a sense human body is very much a part of the external environment. As Einstein said environment is everything outside me, every single individual is environment for the other being. And every individual is so linked with the other that he cannot leave behind the impact of others.

Creativity can be in the form of a piece of poetry, or a painting, it can be a garden or a dish cooked in a special way. It is not important what media is used for expression, what is important is the expression. And when piece of art is created, the artist must leave it and move on. He should not linger on or try to change it or destroy it, instead he should take a fresh piece of canvas or paper and start with another masterpiece.

But for being creative, it is essential that one is responsive to the external stimuli and then it is the quality of stimuli that also matters. What is stimulating a person and in what manner is of vital importance. Even the simple, ordinary mundane everyday articles can be a source of great inspiration for an artist.

And talent attracts attention. Many a times, the attention is received at a very early stage of artist’s journey. But unfortunately, talent is, in such cases suffocated by the attention it generates. Many a times, the pressure of performing is so great, that it adversely affects the art. Sometimes, even undue attention is awarded to not so talented individuals, just because of their position in the society, while the really talented ones starve on the streets. Where will creativity go when an individual can barely manage to get his two square meals a day. And attention might even bring pride. And pride is the greatest enemy of the creative spirit. When pride takes roots in the heart of the individual, he stops observing and what was once the source of inspiration becomes the article of contempt. And this slowly leads to the stagnation of the creative spirit. The stagnation can be a result of undue attention, poverty, pride as well as the pressure to perform, that ultimately leads to the creation of repetitive or maybe not so good pieces of art.

So, for creativity to flourish, it is essential that the individual remains pure at heart and continues to see, hear and respond to stimuli and not get affected by the external reactions. He should remain a simple individual, for simplicity evokes the greatest response.