Libido and Art

All my life, I had a need to think painting, to paint in order to liberate myself from all the impressions, all the feelings, and all the anxieties of which the only solution I know is painting.

- Nicolas de Staë

I think it is kind of similiar to what Freud said about Libido, where libido means the energy of life. In his eyes, life is driven by sexual desire, love for oneself, for their family, even love for art or belief. And this energy is not unlimited, what is used up will not be recovered.

When things are not going their way in life, people will feel powerless and debilitated, the way to release these pressure maybe take it out on their loved ones, be it lovers or family and friends, go on a shopping spree, go drink till you drop, so to forget about it for a while.

Artists are usually consider to have a very strong Libido, and it is this pressure and drive from the energy of life that gives inspiration and muse to their artwork. They are usually more sensitive to problems in life around them, and in trying to solve them, be able to boarden their horizon and begin their creation.

When they feel pressure, anxiety, distress in life, will try to find out the source of these complications, analyses it face to face with reason, and consciously readjust its target to the projection of the libido energy. Not to give up and lose the battle easily and waste the chance to grow, but rather, infuse it attentively into their art and who knows, maybe able to change the world in the mean time.