Where others merely glance at the outwardly disgusting/beautiful, an artist must go deeper.  They must be like a detective, playing a trillion different angles and possibilities in their head, digging, fully examining each one.  In a sense they must be a degenerate; somebody who can’t leave well enough alone.  Somebody who is a pervert for existence itself.  Spiritual masters have alluded to the importance of this level of awareness/scrutiny, and I do believe that this caliber of examination and contemplation is an avenue for art to touch the spiritual.