What is the relationship between abstract art, brain states, and sensitivity?

Relationship between abstract art, brain states, and sensitivity

I have been learning about research surrounding abstract art, and I came across an interesting research article. Vered Aviv, a researcher, theorizes that abstract art can help us focus less on our reality, making it easy to access brain states that create novel emotional and cognitive links. Abstract art was invented 100 years ago, making it a recent blessing for humankind. Despite its novelty, many sensitive and artistic individuals incline toward abstract art, given its emotional and cognitive health benefits.

Research suggests that the intensity of emotional response to an abstract artwork depends on the viewer’s way of processing the artwork. Another benefit of abstract art is that it evokes a visual stimulus that isn’t specific to an object, thus creating a unique visual experience different from our day-to-day observations.

For example: Painting a set of non-linear dashes, dots, scribbles, or colored patches could create a visual stimuli different than the ones that emerge while viewing objects like cars, beds, or utensils.

There isn't much research to support my theory as yet, but in my experience, sensitive individuals or highly sensitive individuals could have an added benefit of working with abstract art. I have experienced different cognitive and emotional states while making abstract art. As a highly sensitive person, it was easy for me to focus less on my reality and access brain states that welcomed novel ideas. These ideas could have been disregarded by my brain if I wasn't making an abstract art when the novel idea came into my mind.

How about you?

How do you feel about noticing your cognitive and emotional state while making abstract art?

How do you feel about this post?

May I request you to do a quick emotional check-in with me?

If you agree, please think of three words that you are feeling in this moment that could describe your emotions.

If you feel positive emotions, then please continue reading. If you feel negative

emotions, please pause to check, and please come back to this article when you feel more aligned to this post :).

Now, for the ones who are continuing to read:

Have you ever felt sensitive about something more than the people around you?

Have you ever felt like expressing your sensitivity through abstract art?

You may ask, how do I do that?

The answer to that question is simple. You have to start painting to see what comes out for you.

You may ask, how I perceive my sensitivity?

The answer to that question is simple, too. You have to start observing yourself and learn more about yourself.

You may ask, how do I learn more about myself?

The answer to that question is simple, too. You have to start painting more to learn about yourself :).

Who knows? You might connect to an inner state that helps you with all the answers you are looking for while you create an abstract artwork!

Please remember, I’m here for you if you need a helping hand :D.

Until next time, dear sensitive soul <3.

-3, 2, 1, Cheers,

Pranita

Science communicator | Intuitive abstract artist | Energy worker

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Reference: Aviv V. What does the brain tell us about abstract art? Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 2014;8. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2014.00085

Tiwari N. Emotional awareness. online meeting. July 17, 2025.

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‌Please Note:

The word count for this post is 464.

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My favorite pick and related post:

How can highly sensitive people use abstract art to decrease their stress levels?

Disclaimer  - Please note that the information on this site and blog is not medical information. Expressive Sensitive is a space to inform, educate, and engage highly sensitive people about the relationship between abstract art and high sensitivity. Please be advised that I utilize my education and experience as an artist, self-healer, energy worker, and a science communicator to create authentic content in this space.

To get medical support, please reach out to a qualified medical professional. Please reach out to authorized educational professionals to replicate my artistic or emotional coping methods.