Visual Arts are arts that meet the eye and evoke a certain emotion through a series of expression of skills and imagination of an artist. It also refers to art that expresses the culture, emotion, history, meaning and message of the artist. The intent of visual arts may differ from the artist. It may mean to visually calm and please the viewer or it may disturb or shock them.
"The visual arts are art forms such as painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography, video, filmmaking, design, crafts and architecture. Many artistic disciplines such as performing arts, conceptual art, and textile arts also involve aspects of visual arts as well as arts of other types." (Shelley Esaak, 2015)
As said by Unbound Visual Arts, these definitions should not be taken too strictly as many artistic disciplines (performing arts, conceptual art, textile arts) involve aspects of the visual arts as well as arts of other types. Also included within the visual arts are the applied arts such as industrial design, graphic design, fashion design, interior design and decorative art.
Art has always been considered to be synonymous with culture. For centuries, it was one of the main ways for people to express themselves, along with other mediums like literature and fashion. From the cave paintings of the Stone Age to the hieroglyphs of the Ancient Egyptians, Michelangelo's paintings of the Renaissance, the indigenous tattoos and artworks of the Pre-Spanish Colonization of the Philippines, and much more. The preservation of art and crafts taught us the culture, norms, traditions, and beliefs in history. Art has been one of the powerful mediums to convey, know and appreciate our culture and the culture of others. It also became a way to learn about the history and development of said culture and our differences.
Art also enhances one's creativity, imagination, and critical thinking, which a line with the advancements we have today. It challenges us to understand and look deeper through artwork to grasp its meaning entirely. Different techniques and art forms come to light from the inspiration of artists from other arts and crafts as it brings another message from a different perspective.