Why Has Colour Disappeared from Our Daily Lives?

I recently watched a documentary on a question that speaks to me as a painter: why does colour seem to have disappeared from our daily lives? It stayed with me, and I wanted to talk about it with you.

A world in grey and beige

Look around a modern city: buildings and streets are mostly grey, beige, taupe. Our everyday objects follow the same path. Phones, computers, cars: everything comes in white, black or metallic grey. Little by little, bright colours are fading from the landscape.

Why colour matters

Yet colour plays a huge role in our lives. It affects our emotions, our creativity, even our energy at work. It is everywhere in the way we communicate, from road signs to advertising to emojis. Bright, bold colours lift the mood; a world without them quickly feels monotonous.

The trap of “safe” neutrals

Beige, taupe, grey and black are often seen as elegant, classic, safe. I have nothing against them. But when they are everywhere, they create a uniform, rather lifeless world, which leaves little room for creativity and personal expression.

Colour as a way of saying who we are

Bright colours let us stand out and show our personality in a world that tends towards sameness. People who wear them are often seen as creative and daring, sometimes as a bit unconventional; people who prefer neutrals come across as more classic or reserved. Neither is better than the other: what matters is finding your own balance, and daring to express yourself.

Bringing colour back, one small step at a time

We can choose to bring colour back into our lives: a brightly coloured piece of clothing, a cushion, a vase, a painting on the wall. These small gestures really can lift our mood and our energy. It is no coincidence that colour is at the heart of my own work, from my abstract paintings to my Pop Seventies collection.

If we let uniformity win, I fear we will become a rather dull civilisation, where everyone ends up thinking the same way. I find that idea quite discouraging, and I would rather fight it with colour.

And you?

Do you feel that colour is disappearing from your life? Does it affect you? I would love to hear your thoughts: write to me on WhatsApp.

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Colourfully yours,

Lenon B

Contemporary painter, Ericeira, Portugal