WANT A MENTAL REFRESH?

Artist Paul Klee was onto something when he likened art to a 'holiday'. The pleasure we take from visual art is thousands of years old, arguably we've been looking at art ever since we started painting in caves.

But what is it about visual art that we are drawn to?

• While we might never know why we began creating art, modern ways of analysing the brain are giving us insights into what happens when we look at art.
• Researchers using MRI machines, found that when people looked at art works, including paintings, it activated the parts of the brain associated with visual language and object recognition, which makes sense.
• However, the scientists also discovered a less expected phenomenon, looking at art triggered a response in the areas of the brain connected to emotions, inner thinking and learning.

That's interesting, but how can looking at art help you day to day?

• Further studies by University of Queensland, Australia found that looking at art acted as a mental refresher and allowed people to focus better in much the same way as a trip outdoors can help reset your mind.

Want a mental break during a work day? Get a piece of art in your office.

• So, if you find yourself at your desk for most of the day, with little chance for a break, consider the benefits of having an art work to look at.
• The chance to switch your focus from a screen to something else can help give you a mental break and keep you productive for longer throughout the day.   

Shop the Collection to find your 'art holiday'.

Want to know more? Read the article 'Neural correlates of viewing paintings: Evidence from a quantitative meta-analysis of functional magnetic resonance imaging data' by Oshin Vartanian and Martin Skov.