Exploring the Concept of Synchronicity: A Creative Journey
- Ann Russell
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
The past 18 months or so have been a real journey; a very bumpy ride. There have been disappointments, setbacks and heartbreak. Equally, though there have been many occurrences of synchronicity - moments where unrelated events or ideas seem to align perfectly. This concept, introduced by psychologist Carl Jung, describes meaningful coincidences that go beyond simple chance.
I was reminded of this when reflecting on the stressful weeks that led up to the memorial service for my Dad. We needed somewhere to hold the service that was accessible, and have some form of catering for the relatives who would be travelling some distance to the service. Oh, and somewhere that didn't cost an arm and a leg to hire. My sister and I made enquiries with a church related venue who were very unhelpful and could do with a lesson in customer service, quite frankly. For an organisation with "People Matter" as their motto, they showed very little concern for people, much less under difficult circumstances. Given that, we (my sister and I) were forced to explore other options. Eventually we happened upon a council owned venue in a nice location that my Dad had enjoyed with family; with an unrelated but adjacent restaurant that incorporated a private dining room. Our dealings with the restaurant were brilliant - so helpful and obliging, not to mention excellent food and service on the day. It would appear the the first venue did us a favour, and not only that, we happened on two venues that made a difficult day much easier to bear: synchronicity.
As best-selling author, Julia Cameron asserts in her iconic book The Artist's Way, when we take the smallest step in the direction of our goals and aspirations, the Universe will rise to meet us with what we need - often when we want something completely different or don't know what it is that we need. We don't always need to know where we are going, we just have to take the first tentative step.
Synchronicity is also often evident in art. Art often surprises us by revealing connections that feel meaningful yet unexpected. In the world of art, synchronicity can spark creativity, deepen interpretation, and connect artists and audiences in unique ways. The following artwork was completed around the time of my Dad's passing, and incorporates one of my favourite (and his) subjects - trees. It is an artwork that came together from a very random beginning and became a tribute to my Dad as well as some gums on the local Redcliffe Peninsula. It will always remind me of my Dad because of the subject matter and the timing: synchronicity.
What Synchronicity Means in Art
Synchronicity in art refers to moments when elements come together in a way that feels significant without a clear cause-and-effect link. This can happen during the creative process or in how viewers interpret a piece. For example, an artist might discover that two unrelated symbols in their work resonate with a personal experience or cultural theme, creating a deeper layer of meaning.
Artists often describe these moments as sparks of insight or inspiration that seem to come from outside themselves. These experiences can guide the direction of a project or reveal new connections between ideas. For viewers, synchronicity can make art feel alive and relevant, inviting them to find personal meaning in the work.
How Artists Experience Synchronicity
Many artists report moments when their work seems to "come together" unexpectedly. This might happen when:
A random brushstroke suggests a new shape or idea.
A chance encounter inspires a theme or style.
Different materials or techniques combine in surprising ways.
For example, the painter Paul Klee often embraced chance in his work, allowing accidents to shape the final piece. Similarly, the composer John Cage used randomness to create music that felt spontaneous and connected to the moment.
I often like to start a painting with water colour randomly painted on some paper, adding some salt and cling wrap to create texture and then see where the painting goes. That's exactly how Gnarly (above) came about. It had been a piece of watercolour paper with random colours and textures for quite some months. When I pulled it out again to continue work, the tree sprang to life: synchronicity.
These experiences show that synchronicity can be a powerful creative tool. It encourages openness to the unexpected and helps artists explore new directions without rigid plans. This is so important in the creative process - without it art work becomes rigid and/or technical. Whilst undertaking some of my post graduate work, I discovered that my large collection of odd things was an essential part of my creative process. Sometimes an object inspires a new artwork and at other times I find an object or material amongst my collection that perfectly solves a creative problem: synchronicity.
Synchronicity in Art Interpretation
Viewers also play a role in creating synchronicity through their interpretations. When someone sees a painting or sculpture, their personal experiences and emotions influence what they notice and feel. This can lead to meaningful connections that the artist might not have intended but that enrich the artwork.
For instance, a viewer might see a symbol in a painting that reminds them of a life event, creating a personal story linked to the piece. This interaction between artwork and audience highlights how synchronicity bridges the gap between creator and observer. The work below: Storybook Forest recently sold to someone for whom the painting no doubt evoked the magic of childhood stories and fairy tales. It was also created from "nothing", the ideas about colour, texture and materials came from the painting as it developed and resonated with something in the purchaser: synchronicity.
Similarly the image below sold to someone who, (given that the painting is titled Colours of Queenstown) had at some stage themselves witnessed the colours created ironically by Zinc mining in Queenstown, Tasmania. The painting resonated with my affinity for the magical land that is Tassie, and presumably also did for the audience.
How to Cultivate Synchronicity in Your Own Art
Artists interested in exploring synchronicity can try several approaches:
Embrace chance: Use techniques like automatic drawing, collage, or improvisation to invite unexpected elements.
Stay open to inspiration: Pay attention to dreams, coincidences, or random encounters that spark ideas.
Reflect on symbols: Explore personal or cultural symbols that resonate deeply and allow them to guide your work.
Engage with your audience: Share your process and invite viewers to interpret your art, creating a dialogue that can reveal new meanings.
As a teacher, I like to give my students time to add their own symbols, touches and nuances that enable synchronicity. One of the kids who come to my classes once commented that this was the favourite part of making things. Mine too - it's what allows for the magic of synchronicity. By welcoming synchronicity, artists can deepen their creative journey and produce work that feels alive and connected.
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