Ellen Dissanayake facts for kids

Ellen Dissanayake is an American anthropologist and writer. She studies how art and culture work. She lives in Seattle, Washington, and is connected with the University of Washington.

Who is Ellen Dissanayake?

Ellen Dissanayake was born Ellen Franzen in Illinois. She grew up in Walla Walla, Washington. She earned a bachelor's degree from Washington State University in 1957. She studied music and philosophy. Later, she received a master's degree in art history in 1970. In 2013, she received an honorary doctorate. This special award was from the Maryland Institute College of Art.

Her Inspiration from Around the World

Ellen Dissanayake says her experiences living abroad inspired her work. She saw how different cultures viewed art. She spent time in countries like Sri Lanka, Nigeria, India, Madagascar, and Papua New Guinea. These experiences helped her understand art in new ways.

Where She Has Taught

She has taught at many universities. These include the New School for Social Research in New York City. She also taught at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Other places include Sarah Lawrence College and the National Arts School in Papua New Guinea. She also taught at the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka. In 1997, she was a visiting professor at Ball State University. The next year, she taught at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada.

Homo Aestheticus: Why Art is Important

Ellen Dissanayake wrote a book called Homo Aestheticus: Where Art Comes From and Why. It was first published in 1992. In this book, she explains her ideas about art.

Art is Essential for Humans

Dissanayake argues that art was very important for humans. It helped our species develop and survive. She believes that everyone is born with the ability to appreciate art. She says art is a basic human need. It is as important as food, warmth, or shelter.

The Idea of "Making Things Special"

She sees art as the result of "making things special." These "things" can be objects or actions. Art developed to make important events more memorable. These events might be important for survival or for people to get along. Art helps us deal with the unknown. It lets us feel like we have some control over nature.

Why Art Feels Good

Art experiences can feel good physically. We enjoy how artists shape materials. Dissanayake also suggests that some materials are naturally pleasing. The process of creating art can also be enjoyable. When we "make things special," we often use things we find attractive. This includes signs of health and vitality. It also includes a balance between order and variety.

Art Across Cultures

One part of her book shows examples of art from many cultures. These examples fit her definition of art. She believes that older ideas about art were too narrow. They focused too much on European art. Her book argues that art is a universal human behavior. It is rooted in our biology. She believes art should be promoted in education and daily life.

What Others Think of Her Work

The book has received good reviews. Denis Dutton reviewed it in 1994. He said the book "calls for a counter-revolution in our thinking about art." He also called its message "timely, provocative, and immensely valuable."