This illustrated presentation takes a look at how recent research in neuroscience is profoundly influencing current thinking on how works of art are created and experienced. Garry Kennard will show some startling examples of illusions and distortions of perception – and will relate these to how we perceive the material world in general and art in particular. He also looks at theories of the development of consciousness and explains why he believes that these areas of research underlie the most profound revolution in our understanding of the human condition. He ends by making a brave attempt to bring all this together in an ambitious theory of art and religion – their origins and purpose.
GARRY KENNARD was born in London in 1948 and is a painter, writer and festival director. He has exhibited his paintings in London, Oxford, Cambridge, Winchester and at Petworth House as artist in residence at the 2009 Petworth Festival. His paintings are in many private collections in UK, France and the United States, and in the collection of Clare Hall, Cambridge University. He is the founding director of the unique Art and Mind Festival which has attracted leading artists and scientists to explore what light the brain sciences can throw on contemporary culture. His book Essays and Images has recently been published by GV Art.
Kennard has an interest in mountaineering and has climbed in the Alps and Africa, as well as leading his own expeditions to the Nepalese Himalayas.
