“There is a need for individuals to find ways of transcending their limited identities, of periodically committing egocide.” “Once the artist has a mystical experience, the task is to integrate the visions and energy of this state into the physical act of making art.” “You don’t need friends who drag down your work.” “The masterful artist transcends the limited sense of self and becomes an active channel of universal creative spirit.” “Religion is based on faith in a traditional dogma, whereas spirituality is based on transpersonal experience.”
“The idea is to develop a kind and empathetic heart, dedicated to acting on behalf of the common good.” “By entering the studio in their heart, all artists have access to a personal yet universal vision that can guide and inspire them and, perhaps, all of us.”
“When artists give form to revelation, their art can advance, deepen, and potentially transform the consciousness of their community.” Words of Wisdom from The Mission of Art by Alex Grey Trust me given my limited, New York shelf space, I wouldn’t still have this book if there wasn’t some practical value in it. The seven chapters of The Mission of Art include topics like, “Vision and Mission,” “Deeply Seeing,” “Illuminating Visions” and “Art As a Spiritual Practice.” Subjects like this might give you pause (he’s swinging for the fences here this ain’t how to paint happy trees… though that could absolutely be a valid mission), but they’re accessible, and Grey brings you along these lines of thought with a gentle touch. That’s because what Grey says is big and powerful and true, and he says it well, with passion and in plain English. Alex says a helluva lot in 250 pages, and if he inspired a material-worldly cartoonist like me, he can probably speak to anyone who’s willing to listen. I have a dog-eared copy here at home, with literally dozens of pages folded in to the Good Stuff and even more notes and sketches in the margins. This is the basic premise of The Mission of Art by Alex Grey, published by Shambhala. Quickly, now: what is the mission of art? Answer: To transform our depleted world by supporting the evolution of human consciousness.
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