'Ancora Imparo' (Still I am Learning): An Inquiry into Visual Artists' Experience of Creativity in Old Age

Abstract

As a student of Irish Modern and Contemporary Art History, my contribution to The Lived Life project explores the topic of later-life artistic creativity amongst older visual artists. In their capacity as self-employed practioners artists are not obliged to retire at the age of 65, and as they must age like everyone else, it is likely that with the passing of time their vision and interpretatio of art might change also. An artist's skill and technical proficiency may develop throughout his or her lifetime, and although ageing may sometimes affect this proficiency in a negative sense, the experience of ageing can enrich an artist's life experience, which can then be reflected in his work. The progression of one's life is reflected in one's artistic developments.