Back in London, Gemma's mom experiences art and culture by buying paintings and drawings for her personal collection. She attends gallery openings, goes to other countries to acquire diverse artwork, and is really zeroed in on the act of shopping for other people's work. In other words, she's an art hoarder.
When Gemma goes to Australia, though, she encounters a whole new definition of art and culture through Ty's interactive art in the outbuildings. She becomes exposed to the power of creation over consumption as she comes to understand that Ty's art expresses his connection with the land. For a book about kidnapping, Stolen digs into some deep thoughts on what makes art and what the purpose of art truly is.
Questions About Art and Culture
- Why is Ty's art so important to him? What motivates him to create? Be specific.
- Ty doesn't just paint the outbuildings on his property; he paints his body. Why does it matter that he involves himself in his work this way? Why does he make Gemma try to paint herself when he shows her his work?
- How does Ty's artwork change Gemma's view of him?
- If you were going to make a playlist for Gemma's experience with Ty, what songs would you include and why?
Chew on This
Ty's artwork changes the way Gemma sees him by revealing his humanity and sincerity.
Ty reveals the creative process behind art, which goes deeper than the cold consumerism of Gemma's mom's acquisitions. He humanizes art.