Artist Archetype

The last several months I have been questioning and writing about what it is to be a bodhisattva artist.  But recently I have been wondering more simply what is it to be an artist?  Is it something a person is born to be?  And, in this world of consumerism, is it possible to be authentic and what is an authentic artist?

Jung identified certain personalities and behaviors that he classified in psychology as archetypes.  The Artist is one of them; Jung specifically categorized it as the Artist-Scientist archetype.   Some of the attributes associated with the Artist-Scientist are their ability to come up with novel solutions, being curious, idealistic, self-confident yet afraid of failing, and having childlike wonder with a logical mind.

A more contemporary view of archetypes comes from the Enneagram type system.  The Artist in this system is characterized as being sensitive, expressive, and spiritual.  Emotions are the vehicle by which the Artist understands themselves, others, and the world.  They do not fear painful emotions and this is often a way for them to develop compassion for the suffering of others and the world.  Nostalgic and idealistic by nature, the Artist seeks meaning, growth, and healing.

I relate very strongly to both descriptions I find of the archetypical Artist.  The listed attributes are characteristics I have had all my life.  Which leads me to believe I was born an artist.  I'm not sure what the karmic implications are to this other than I have the sensibilities that seem ideal for self awareness, thirst for beauty and graceful solutions, and a deep wish to heal my own suffering and be of benefit to others. 

As far as being authentic, I believe that lies in living one's personal truth.  Which in my case, is always changing and expanding, while strangely stays the same.  I think my quarry about authenticity must be an example of being afraid of failure.

Perhaps this is the search for meaning in a world that is inherently empty of meaning.  So Zen . . . there is nothing to attain, no one to be, no place to go.  Just accepting the masterpiece that we are at each given moment.   Curious. . . Art historically, have we moved to a new place that is no longer the iconoclasm of abstract expressionism?  Or the inertia of endless individual expression? What is the focus of art now?

What do you think?  Please share your thoughts in facebook comments or in the comment box below.

Best,

Susan