What is visual art for me? This is a common question, which has a variety of responses. One of the frequent responses is, art is a form of expression that reflects a person’s thoughts and emotions through visual images, performance, and music. For me, art is a language that communicates to us.

The Collins dictionary states that, “A language is a system of communication, which consists of a set of sounds and written symbols, which are used by the people of a particular country or region for talking or writing.” Symbols can be in the form of alphabets, images, figures, and representations, to list some instances. Sound is a vibration that sends waves into our ears in order for us to hear or listen, thus sound affects our hearing sense, which is one of the five key senses.

When our eyes see visual images such as paintings and sculptures, the images send electrical impulses to our brain. Electrical impulses are a form of wave, and it influences our eyesight, which is also one of the five important senses. As visual arts can also be in the form images, figures or representations and the impact of viewing visual arts send electrical wave to stir one of our senses, this process is similar to the definition of language. Therefore, visual art is a language that communicates to us.