GALLERIES WHY VISIT ART ?

As a child growing up in North-West England, I was not always exposed to art galleries as prospective days out. Despite this, I have developed a love for art gallery trips across the country and the world, immersing myself in new cultural phenomenons. Art galleries are contemplative spaces - unbound by the social construction of time and bustling metropolis; a quiet place allowing you to just wander through halls of art and take time to think. As places of meditation, art galleries are cultural hotspots that enable you to learn and broaden your horizons, gain exposure to a diverse range of art produced across the entire world and meet others with similar interests. With most popular art galleries in the country maintaining free entry policies amid a nationwide cost of living crisis, there is not much better than a low-cost, student budget friendly trip to a gallery. Here is a breakdown as to why you should visit art galleries.

Art transcends language barriers. The most famous art galleries in the world such as The National Gallery in London, The Louvre in Paris, Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The MET) in New York City all house impressive collections of art from around the world that attract tourists. According to The Art Newspaper, it is reported 6.2 million people visited London’s National Gallery in 2019.

On a personal level, art galleries can benefit one’s mood, helping people to foster a positive outlook and bring inspiration. Art galleries draw in quiet crowds, making them relaxing spaces to reflect and appreciate works. This setting allows you to learn about different cultural practices and time periods in engaging and immersive ways. The presence of art and culture can improve a person’s quality of life profoundly: this is something that I will forever stand by.

Art gallery visitors in the UK mostly benefit from free entry - differing this country from many others. Last summer, I was very fortunate to travel to New York city, visiting The MET and a Jean-Michel Basquiat exhibition. I left both galleries feeling surprisingly relaxed despite walking around for hours! However, both of the galleries in New York were expensive to enter. This reminded me how lucky we are to be able to access art free in the UK.

My favourite place to see art in the UK is the National Gallery. It is home to a collection of around 2,600 paintings from the thirteenth to late nineteenth century. Housing some of the most famous names in European art like Van Gogh, Monet, Seurat, Caravaggio, Vermeer, Da Vinci, and Cézanne. For anyone living in London, this gallery is easily accessible at the heart of Trafalgar Square without any entry fee!

- Natalie Howarth