It's all about the science.

It turns out that there have been quite a few scientific studies carried out on the topic of art and the psychological and mental health effects it has on a person. One of these is the study of how the brain perceives art called neuroaesthetics. One paper by Semi Zeki, explains how a particular part of the brain sees beauty in art, that in turn releases dopamine that makes you feel good. This chemical is also associated with feel good factor when eating chocolate, see the other post for more information on that subject.

Looking at art can also reduce stress. This is reliant on the piece of art you are looking at, and the gut feeling you have when you choose the art that triggers an emotion personal to you in the first place, in a nut shell, art that makes you feel good, or reminds you of something or inspires you. If you find the artwork really stimulating, that can increase the blood flow to the brain by 10%. We could go into the very complex study of how colour effects mood, but I will leave that to the professionals who know more than I do, with links to references at the end of this post.

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What do your pets think?

We can be as analytical and scientific as we want, and of course choosing the artwork that provokes a response to yourself is the primary objective. But inevitably the question will arise ‘yes, but will it look ok hung in the alcove above the fish tank’, or, ‘that is where the cat sits and he may not like it’. Taking into account your pets preferences aside, If you have a large piece of artwork, you may like to have that as the sole focal point of the room with no other artwork in there. The opposite of this is to have a gallery wall. This is a lot of different art at different sizes and subjects on one wall. Something obvious I have forgotten to do is to hang the artwork at eye level ( you can have some flexibility with a gallery wall ). I have a framed print that no one notices as they walk in as it is six and a half feet from the floor. It may be that the colours of the artwork complement the colours of the room and furnishings, which will decide where it goes.

Any way, maybe it’s best not to overthink it, if you like the artwork and it makes you smile or give it a second glance as you walk past it, that’s all that matters.

Links: - The Psychological benefits of art in your home

How looking at art effects your mental health

A guide to hanging art in your home