ELI5: Why Is Art Subjective?

Art is subjective because every single person feels, remembers, and sees things in their own unique way.

Think about everyday things, like ice cream flavors. You might love chocolate because it makes you feel happy and reminds you of birthday parties, while your friend might hate it and only want strawberry. Neither of you is wrong; your taste buds just enjoy different things.

Art works the exact same way. When people look at a painting, listen to a song, or read a book, they use their own personal experiences and emotions to decide if they like it:

• Different Memories: If you look at a painting of a rainy day, you might love it because you enjoy splashing in puddles. Someone else might dislike it because rain makes them feel cold and stuck indoors.
• Different Moods: A loud, energetic rock song might be exciting when you are playing outside, but the same song might give someone else a headache when they want to take a nap.
• Different Perspectives: If an artist splashes bright yellow paint across a blank canvas, you might see a warm, sunny morning, but your friend might just see a big, messy spill.