I've read that every piece of art must be considered a gift to somebody. Let's take a painting, for example. We can observe it, we can feel it, touch it, even, we can know the name of the artist - but we do not know who it has been painted for. And, of course, this is where our imagination tunes in. We can dream up millions of things, we can imagine the feeling of the painter, we can see a piece of him (or her) lying inside of us - because this is the way the painting can speak. By "clicking" with our inner self. The richer the imagination of the painter - the greater the gift. Thus - the more interesting world to dive in.
But what if there was nobody the painter could gift the painting to? What if there was no recipient for this unique gift? What if there was nothing the painter wanted to express in front of somebody else? And not just somebody else, somebody else in particular? Would he be able to craft the painting?
Every single type of art, even the ones done in complete solitude, are ways for one to express himself - and deliver a message to somebody else. Somebody important. And by creating art, he becomes a better person. Only because he is pushed by what he wants to do for others.
If you're interested, I can expand this. I am available for chat.
Kindest regards.