Number 58 in our countdown of '70 Ways Art Improves Our Health' comes straight from the mouths of artists…

Hearing the experiences and thoughts of other artists can encourage, motivate, uplift, and inspire creativity in ourselves. Here, we’ve gathered just a handful of thoughts from some of the world’s greatest artists about art and wellbeing.

1. Yayoi Kusama

“My art comes from hallucinations only I see. I translate the images that plague me into sculptures and paintings.”

Since 1977 Yayoi Kusama, one of the world's most popular artists, has lived in a psychiatric hospital in Tokyo. She attributes her survival to art.

2. Gerhard Richter

“Art is the highest form of hope.”

German artist Gerhard Richter wrote this over 30 years ago but, in a recent interview, he reasserted the solace and comfort that art can offer us.

3. Yoko Ono

“Experiencing sadness and anger can make you feel more creative, and by being creative, you can get beyond your pain or negativity.”

Everyone knows Japanese multimedia artist Yoko Ono, whether for her art or otherwise. She uses her negative emotions to fuel creativity.

4. Pablo Picasso

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”

This quote may never have been said by Picasso... It was first said by German composer Berthold Auerbach in 1864 about music. But we can’t disagree with the sentiment!

5. Vincent van Gogh

“The only time I feel alive is when I'm painting.”

Vincent checked into a mental hospital in 1889. Few know that his time in the hospital was by far the most productive period of his life.

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