Art is subjective, often multifaceted, and regularly emotion-based. A viewer’s response to a piece of art generally lies solely in how they perceive the piece, its aesthetics, and/or its overall meaning. In 2018, multidimensional abstract artist Meagan J. Meehan invented (and is trademarking) a new art movement based solely on the perception of artwork when it is viewed from different angles. The movement is called “Conscious Perceptionalism.”

“Conscious Perceptionalism” describes a style of generally abstract artwork that the artist intentionally creates so that it can be viewed from all directions while maintaining its form and consistency from every angle.

Essentially, artworks that adhere to the style of Conscious Perceptionalism should not have a definitive up, down, left, or right. Instead, they should be comprehensive regardless of what direction they are turned in. Hence, artists who create work in this style must ensure that the art is strong in all orders; generally by approaching it from different angles while crafting it.

Making a movement and coining a term

Conscious Perceptionalism was coined and defined by abstract artist and curator Meagan J. Meehan. The movement is akin to a form of visual language that is heavily inspired by Expressionism, Conceptualism, and Art Brut (more commonly known as “Outsider Art”) but with more emphasis given to individualism and open-mindedness.

At its core, the movement seeks to make modern art more accessible and compelling to viewers by making the pieces more interpretative and, subsequently, more interesting.

Conscious Perceptionalism is easy to learn. Founder Meagan J. Meehan is arranging classes and speeches aimed at both children and adults to teach them about the style and its potentials.

Most of these premiere classes will be held in libraries in the Long Island and New York City area. Moreover, the movement can encompass a large body of abstract styles such as painting, sculpture, digital, installations and creations using recycled/reused materials, so it’s accessible to a wide range of artists, mediums, and artistic styles.

“I got the idea to create this movement after working with this style for several years,” Meehan stated in a recent interview. “I actually started working within this style as a teenager when I realized how cool some of my work looked when I viewed it from an angle I had perceived as ‘upside down.’ That really opened my eyes to just how subjective abstract art can be. Conscious Perceptionalism is really just a different way of considering art and I want to share the concept with other artists.”

Artwork embracing Conscious Perceptionalism

Meagan J. Meehan organized group exhibitions as an Associate Curator at the Demouzy Contemporary Gallery and her desire to evolve her curation duties led to the defining of the Conscious Perceptionalism art movement.

“I’m planning to present it through workshops at libraries and hopefully other venues like museums and galleries,” Meehan stated. “I’m also planning to start an artist collective and base several curated shows—both online and offline—centered around this concept and style.”

Meehan, who is also a published fiction writer and produced playwright, has worked as a journalist since 2012, mainly writing about Art & Entertainment, Toys & Games, Lifestyle & Leisure, and some Technology. Through her journalistic work, she has made many connections with an array of artists, exhibition venues, and organizations which she feels will help her in the promotion of the Conscious Perceptionalism art movement.

“I’m also working on a PhD right now via the University at Buffalo SUNY which basically focuses on Educational Psychology and how people learn,” Meehan added. “I think I can employ a lot of those practices into the designing of classes to teach people of all ages—both artists and beginners—how to consider abstract artwork in a new and multifaceted way and embrace Conscious Perceptionalism.”

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