Admiring art is food for the soul. We’re blessed with endless creativity and expression, constantly taking the spotlight around us. You don’t need to look far to find it…
Noordhoek, South Africa (22 October 2025) – It’s easy to admit when an artwork resonates with you. What is sometimes trickier is unpacking the ‘why’ behind that.
If you can’t put your finger on why The Birth of Venus by Botticelli stirs something in you or why Tretchikoff’s work feels so striking, you may need to look at what lies on the canvas. South African artist, curator and gallery owner Aimee Kruger says it’s about listening to what the artist isn’t saying.
“When it comes to art, every brushstroke, smudge, and mark tells a story — but not always the one you expect. ‘Reading’ a painting isn’t about spotting a technique; it’s about noticing the whispers: the mood, the rhythm, the artist’s quiet obsessions. The question isn’t ‘what is this painting of?’ but ‘what is this painting making me feel’?”
Uncovering that becomes a journey that might take you ages to unpack, or perhaps you’ll know right away why it strikes a chord. It might not even make sense to the person standing next to you. Perhaps you don’t quite understand it yourself.
All of the above are natural responses when we stop to admire art. If the artist wanted to tell a story that everyone would perceive the same way, they’d probably write a book instead. We respond to art differently, and that’s what makes it so beautifully nuanced.
“It’s completely okay not to know why you love something. That mystery is part of the magic. Artists are, in many ways, alchemists. We take ordinary things — paint, charcoal, canvas — and somehow make them stir something in you that feels familiar but can’t quite be explained,” says Aimee.
If it provokes something in you, that’s enough.
“Too often I hear people in the gallery say, ‘I love that piece, but I don’t know why.’ And often, it’s said with a hint of embarrassment,” shares Aimee. “Firstly — never be embarrassed to like an artwork, a song, a movie, or a series. Never let anyone make you feel small for enjoying something that brings you joy. Art isn’t a test you have to pass; it’s an experience you get to feel,” she says.
So, the next time you visit an exhibition or gallery and can’t wax lyrical about why a piece resonates with you, it’s probably because it spoke to something so much deeper that might not be as easy to shape into words. And that’s okay.
“Art doesn’t always want to be understood — it wants to be felt. And when a piece makes you stop and stare, even without knowing why, it’s already done its job beautifully,” shares Aimee.
Find out more about Aimee’s work here.
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