This quote speaks to the unique perspective and ability of the artist to perceive and express ideas, feelings, or concepts that may not be immediately visible or apparent to others. The artist, through their creative process, is able to tap into unseen realities or “spirits” and bring them to life through their art. Once the artist has made these spirits manifest through their work, others are then able to perceive and understand them. This is essentially the transformative power of art – to make the unseen seen, the intangible tangible, and the unexpressed expressed.

In this context, “spirits” could represent a wide range of things – from emotions, thoughts, ideas, to societal issues, human conditions, or even abstract concepts. The artist, with their heightened sensitivity, intuition, and creativity, is able to perceive these spirits and translate them into a medium (painting, music, literature, etc.) that others can perceive and understand.

In today’s world, this quote could be applied to various situations. For instance, in the realm of social justice, artists often play a crucial role in bringing attention to societal issues that many people may not be aware of or choose to ignore. Through their art, they can make these issues visible and palpable, thereby inspiring change and action.

In terms of personal development, this quote could be seen as an encouragement to cultivate our own artistic sensibilities – to learn to see beyond the surface of things, to perceive the underlying spirits in our own lives, and to express them in our own unique ways. This could lead to a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us, and ultimately, to personal growth and transformation.

Furthermore, it could also mean that we should appreciate the artists in our lives (be it musicians, writers, painters, or even a friend who has a knack for seeing things differently) as they have the ability to help us see and understand aspects of life that we might have otherwise overlooked.