Quotes About Originality

I've never been interested in, much in the politics of the art world, it doesn't interest me.

Art isn't about following the rules. It's about breaking them.

In the art world Robert Rauschenberg had been combining common materials that people thought was art and beautiful, and it was. If he could do that, I could emulate him.

Photography is a witness against the mistaken opinion that art is an imitation of nature.

Art is great only when it bears the stamp of the individual.

Art is a statement of one in the face of all; not a statement by one for the use of all.

Just because you're wearing a goofy hat doesn't make it performance art.

I believe that all true art is classic, but the dictates of the mind rarely permit of its being recognized as such when it first appears.

Art is never defect-free. Things that are remarkable never meet spec, because that would make them standardized, not worth talking about.

Art is not a copy of the real world; one of the damn things is enough.

Without freedom there is no art.

In art, I think it's not useful to be a professional of the profession. It will not give you something new.

Persons of genius, and those who are most capable of art, are always most fond of nature: as such are chiefly sensible, that all art consists in the imitation and study of nature.

Why should not the camera artist break away from the worn out conventions and claim the freedom of expression which any art must have to be alive.

It would nice to live in a world where art can just be art!

Art that submits to orthodoxy, to even the soundest doctrines, but lacks imagination and deep self-expression is lost leaving only the craftsmanship.

In the arts they call it plagiarism, in business they call it competition.

He that seeks popularity in art closes the door on his own genius: as he must needs paint for other minds, and not for his own.

The general history of art and literature shows that the highest achievements of the human mind are, as a rule, not favourably received at first.

The true artists is one who insists on producing a supply, whether or not there's any demand.

Art that only comes from the head isn't any good. Watch any good musician and you'll see what I mean.

If you take pictures does that make you an art thief?

Only in art can you make something that no one wants and still be considered successful.

... Geniuses have a little extra something. There's that little something that you know is a little different.