Beyond the Price: The Forgotten Joy of Experiencing Art

 By Theresa Rézeau

When was the last time you walked into a Gallery and felt awestruck , not by the price tag, but by the art itself?

In today’s fast-paced, hyper-commercialised art world, it’s easy to become numb. Auction headlines scream about record-breaking sales; blue-chip galleries are sometimes more about status than soul. For many, walking into a gallery has become less about the experience of art—and more about evaluating its market value.

But pause for a moment and ask yourself:

When was the last time you entered a gallery space and truly felt awestruck, not by the price tag, not by the prestige, but by the sheer emotional gravity of the work?

Art at its best is a visceral experience. It pulls you into a different world, disrupts your thoughts, and leaves you changed, even if just slightly. True art doesn’t whisper about investment potential or hint at social status. It shouts, whispers, or weeps into your soul. It invites you into a silent conversation that bypasses intellect and speaks directly to the heart.

Maybe it was the raw texture of a thickly layered painting. Maybe it was the haunting gaze of a figure captured in charcoal. Maybe it was an installation that made you feel wonder, confusion, or even discomfort.

Whatever it was, you weren’t thinking about “return on investment.” You weren’t snapping a photo for Instagram to prove you were there. You were simply there, fully present, vulnerable, and alive to the power of human creativity.

In an era where value is so often reduced to a number, reclaiming the pure, unmediated experience of art feels almost radical. It’s a reminder that the true worth of art isn’t something that can be priced or appraised. It’s something you carry with you long after you’ve left the gallery. 

Maybe it’s time to seek out more of those moments. Not the art that’s “trending”, but the art that moves you. Not the exhibitions that are “must-sees” ,but the ones that make you feel seen.