As creative subjects are being sidelined in Britain, teen site member Safah argues that art is crucial for young people, as a medium for expression, passion and emotion, and a means of challenging ourselves and the world around us
Anyone who’s been within 10 feet of me will know about my love of art. What’s equally predictable is that anyone above the age of 30 with a maths degree tends to turn up their nose at it and shove me down the “study what’s useful” pit (no stereotyping intended). Art is such a massive part of my life and I can say the same for so many other young people: it’s a popular choice at GCSE and a great introduction to the creative industries that are booming in the 21st century. It baffles me that it’s being sidelined, especially here in Britain, where there’s this obsession with so-called “academic” subjects.
In my first ever art class my teacher talked about how using different mediums could create different effects. I would argue that art is a medium in itself. It’s a medium for expression, passion and emotion, and the result? Well, it’s infinite. Art has been used to present opinions and challenge authority. It’s been used to record iconic moments in history and it has captured the imagination of some of the most outspoken individuals. And, just as miraculously, art has been a way for ordinary people to pour out their hearts without the weight of words. So long as we stay true to that, art is as close to immortality as we’ll ever get.
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