9 Lives | Chapter 9 | Part 3: A Body of Evidence for Ageless Creativity

This article is part of a weekly series adapted from our latest book, "The 9 Lives of Woman" by Christine Marie Mason

A Body of Evidence for Ageless Creativity

The innate capacity for creativity endures throughout our entire lifespan. The light of innovation and artistry doesn’t flicker out with age; rather, it shifts, deepens, and finds new avenues of expression. These revelations about creativity in advanced age are not just anecdotal—research and real-world stories affirm that artistry can be as alive at ninety as it was at nineteen. 

In the discussions I’ve had with older adults who’ve embraced creativity—whether it’s painting, writing poetry, playing an instrument, or designing digital art—there’s a common thread of wisdom infused into their work. They have lived through wars, loves, heartbreaks, changing social landscapes. They’ve danced with grief and resilience. Their creative expressions carry the weight and lightness of all that they’ve encountered.

In a very real sense, each new creation—each brushstroke, each note played, each sentence written—serves as a form of life review. It’s a conversation with the self, bridging the many ages we’ve been, the roles we’ve performed, and the transformations we’ve experienced. And because there is less pressure to produce for fame or monetary gain, this creativity can blossom from a place of deeper authenticity and self-exploration.

For example, a study titled “Creativity and the Exceptional Aging Artist” spotlights older individuals who remain highly productive in their creative endeavors. It suggests that while our bodies and minds may change, creativity has a unique resilience—it doesn’t necessarily wane just because years pass. Many of these older artists continue to produce works that are both innovative and profoundly resonant.

This aligns with the pioneering insights of Gene Cohen, whose work “The Creative Age” emphasizes the vast potential for creative expression as we grow older. Cohen’s work illustrates that engaging in artistic activities can enhance both emotional and cognitive health. It gives us an avenue for storytelling, re-invention, and deep self-expression—an antidote to the notion that aging strictly equals decline.

When looking for tangible examples, we find a colorful array of nonagenarian creators who shatter the myth that one’s creative prime belongs solely to youth.

• Carmen Herrera: A Cuban-American painter who gained significant recognition in her later years—finally receiving a global spotlight well into her 90s and continuing to paint beyond 100. Her stark, minimalist, geometric works reflect a disciplined refinement that only a lifetime of exploration could yield. 
• Betye Saar: Known for her evocative assemblage works, Saar has been actively contributing to the art scene into her 90s. Her pieces probe themes of race, spirituality, and memory, offering us a testament to the fact that an artist’s voice not only endures but can evolve and become richer over the decades.
• Henry Koffler: Once a university president, Koffler embarked on a bold new creative path at age 90—venturing into digital abstract art. He produced thousands of pieces and even staged exhibitions, showing us that there is no deadline for creative reinvention.

These luminaries remind us that artistry, at its essence, taps into a wellspring of curiosity and passion that age cannot diminish—only transform.

The research—Cohen’s included—often underscores the mental health benefits of creativity for older adults. Engaging in art can lower stress, bolster cognitive function, and foster a sense of purpose. This purpose is vital in later years, as it counters the social narrative that older individuals are merely in “maintenance mode.” Instead, these studies reveal that learning new techniques, experimenting with fresh styles, or collaborating on community projects can reawaken a sense of possibility and childlike wonder.

Some older artists even report a more playful energy in their work. They’re less constricted by external expectations and more willing to take imaginative leaps. After all, when you’ve navigated the storms of a lifetime, what’s left to fear in a blank canvas or a silent stage?

While these stories celebrate the brilliance of artists in their 90s and beyond, they also cast a bright light on a possibility for all of us, regardless of age. The creative spark is not a fleeting trait reserved for the young—it’s an ever-present flame that can be tended, reignited, and allowed to burn brightly, no matter our stage in life.

To me, creativity in advanced age is an invitation for all generations to see beyond the stereotypes. The paintings of Carmen Herrera, the transformative collages of Betye Saar, the digital masterpieces of Henry Koffler—all call us to honor the enduring capacity of the human spirit to dream, innovate, and share our truths.

Art, in any form, is a way of saying, “I am here, I feel, I notice, I create.” Whether you’re 9, 90, or anywhere in between, that statement never stops being powerful.