Final answer:
An artist is best described by spatial intelligence, which allows for visual and spatial judgement crucial for artistic endeavors. Gardner's theory recognizes multiple intelligences, with spatial intelligence being key for artists, while creativity is a form of intelligence important across disciplines.
Step-by-step explanation:
Intelligence in Artistic Expression
Among the multiple intelligences proposed by Howard Gardner, spatial intelligence best describes an artist. This form of intelligence involves the ability to think in three dimensions, which encompasses the abilities required for visual and spatial judgment such as visualizing objects from different angles, imagining alterations to those forms, and being sensitive to details in visual patterns, all of which are critical skills for artists. While creativity is not categorized as one of Gardner's intelligences, it plays a vital role in the arts, influencing artistic expression across various disciplines, from painting to sculpture.
In Gardner's theory, which has been widely implemented in educational settings despite some criticism among cognitive psychologists, spatial intelligence is distinct from other intelligences such as linguistic, logical-mathematical, and bodily-kinesthetic. Sternberg's theory also speaks to the nature of creativity as a valuable form of intelligence, separate from the practical, creative, and analytical intelligences he identifies.
Artists utilize their spatial intelligence to create works that reflect the contexts, histories, and traditions of various art forms, and they often innovate by breaking from established traditions to pursue new artistic investigations and communicate through their artwork. Emotional intelligence, which includes interpersonal and intrapersonal abilities, may also influence how artists interact with their audience or collaborate with others in the creative process.