Asklemmy

I know you don't want to hear "it depends," but there is no one rule that would cover all art. Some art is made to communicate specific ideas. Some art is made simply out of self-expression, without intent for any particular audience. Both are valid.

If I doodle in my notebook, it's for the artist (me.) However, I also draw and paint to communicate specific emotions. I made a painting while listening to "September" by Earth, Wind and Fire, with the intent to capture the energy and joy the song sends through me. I don't expect anyone to immediately connect the image with the specific song, but since it's a lively concert scene, my hope is that the emotion that inspired the art comes across to an audience.

Sometimes I'll make something more abstract, intentionally left open to interpretation. I may have my own thoughts about such pieces, but ultimately I want the viewer to find their own meaning.

In reality, everything is up to the audience. There will always be people who interpret things in their own way, independent of the artist's intentions. We can't control what others will think, but learning to tolerate and/or accept people who "don't get it" is a stage all artists have to go through. I've come to accept that there is no one perfect mode of communication, so if I intend to communicate something specific, it's on me as the artist to put effort into making that message clear.