Is Creativity Genetic?
I've been thinking about this a lot lately.
How much do we learn, and how much lays hidden inside our genes? Influences and exposure to art can tweak a child's artistic interest. Perhaps we don't see the benefits of those early influences until we age. Or maybe children born with unique creativity lose it when they grow older.
What about child prodigies? The gifted, like Albrecht Durer and Di Vinci, were accomplished artists at a young age. Are they born with creative genius? They must be.
I did some digging on this question and was surprised to learn scientists have claimed that only 22% of creative minds are related to genetics, and 88% of artists develop their art from training and persistence.
When asked about artistic "talent," I respond… it is in my genes.
My paternal grandmother was a sculptress, sculpting her figures in clay before casting them in bronze. She also designed hand-painted needlepoint canvases and stitched her landscapes into benches, pillows, and fire screens.
My maternal grandmother was a beautiful seamstress. She could lay the fabric on her kitchen table with a few written measurements and cut sizes and shapes without a pattern.
Equally, my father played piano by ear and drew cartoons and blueprints for boats he built. My mother created costumes and floral arrangements and is a beautiful stitcher of embroidery threads and needlepoint.
I have siblings and cousins who are creatives in various art disciplines.
If we begin talent with our 22% genetic creativity, we can continue to use the 88% to persevere and develop our creative thinking and problem-solving, which hopefully continues throughout life. I am sure you have heard people say, "I can't even draw a stick figure," but the truth is, according to Betty Edwards, author of "Drawing on the right side of the Brain," wrote drawing is a learnable and teachable skill. (1979)
What do you think? I would love to hear your thoughts.
https://www.xcode.life/genes-and-personality/how-genes-influence-your-creativity/
