The meaning behind the painting

I was chatting over a well-deserved glass of pinot with my friend today and discussing about how I have recently discovered how much more of a connection I feel to art where I am privy to the context of it or the emotions behind it. I remember at uni, I had written a little statement to accompany a piece I had created and my art tutor marked me down, as my art should not have needed a written explanation to accompany it; it should have been straight away obvious to the viewer. I didn't realise then, but I do now, how much I disagree with that. Art, to me, is very personal and lots of the art I create and enjoy has layers upon layers of meaning, emotion, context. Sharing that with your audience surely only brings them closer to your motive more quickly/ clearly than not sharing? Personally, I have discovered when viewing art - particularly metaphorical, symbolic and very emotion-heavy art - that I really appreciate a few small words providing the context behind the piece. I find it can change how I view a piece of art and in every instance this has been the case; I have felt more connected to not only the art but the artist. I like knowing their thoughts behind it, the state they were in, what it means to them - its adds a more spiritual depth to art for me.

The below pieces of art I felt much more connected with once knowing the context behind them: