Quickly, now: what is the mission of art? Answer: To transform our depleted world by supporting the evolution of human consciousness. Duh.

This is the basic premise of The Mission of Art by Alex Grey, published by Shambhala. I have a dog-eared copy here at home, with literally dozens of pages folded in to the Good Stuff and even more notes and sketches in the margins. Alex says a helluva lot in 250 pages, and if he inspired a material-worldly cartoonist like me, he can probably speak to anyone who’s willing to listen. That’s because what Grey says is big and powerful and true, and he says it well, with passion and in plain English.

The seven chapters of The Mission of Art include topics like, “Vision and Mission,” “Deeply Seeing,” “Illuminating Visions” and “Art As a Spiritual Practice.” Subjects like this might give you pause (he’s swinging for the fences here; this ain’t how to paint happy trees… though that could absolutely be a valid mission), but they’re accessible, and Grey brings you along these lines of thought with a gentle touch. Trust me; given my limited, New York shelf space, I wouldn’t still have this book if there wasn’t some practical value in it.

Words of Wisdom from The Mission of Art by Alex Grey

“When artists give form to revelation, their art can advance, deepen, and potentially transform the consciousness of their community.”

“By entering the studio in their heart, all artists have access to a personal yet universal vision that can guide and inspire them and, perhaps, all of us.”

“The idea is to develop a kind and empathetic heart, dedicated to acting on behalf of the common good.”

“Religion is based on faith in a traditional dogma, whereas spirituality is based on transpersonal experience.”

“The masterful artist transcends the limited sense of self and becomes an active channel of universal creative spirit.”

“You don’t need friends who drag down your work.”

“Once the artist has a mystical experience, the task is to integrate the visions and energy of this state into the physical act of making art.”

“There is a need for individuals to find ways of transcending their limited identities, of periodically committing egocide.”

“Cultivate positive expectancy without preconceived notions.”

“When people are profoundly moved by art, they recall from the depths their own intuition of spiritual truths.”

“Art is in essence a gift to the artist from spirit.”

“Advertising is the art of glamorous deception and bad will, par excellence.”

“The seductive appeal of commercial advertising twists our desires for pure and sacred beauty into base and hedonistic cravings.”

“By cleverly using the masks of radiant or sacred beauty, the art of propaganda and advertising has coopted our visual trust and polluted our mind streams.

“It is rarely the wise who rule, but rather the ones driven to dominate others.”

“As long as artists remain true to their authentic experience and vision, there is healing value in their creative effort.”

“The art you produce is accomplishing your soul’s task.”

“Artworks that are labors of heart and soul become batteries of transcendental energy.”

“The artist is responsible for manifesting the inwardly perceived transcendental source.”

In the book, Grey encourages artists to notice their visions (in dreams, moments of lucidity, etc.), know their own truths, and put it all into their work. This adds true value to their art, and benefits both the artists and the viewers, lifting them from everyday humdrum reality to a higher, more spiritually-focused realm, that of the heart and soul. And that leads to a truer, more elevated individual who’s in line with the path of “spirit” or “God” (or whatever you want to call it), ultimately elevating the whole world and, for that matter, the universe itself.

The Mission of Art by Alex Grey, Shambhala Publications Inc. (2001)