But, after all, the aim of art is to create space - space that is not compromised by decoration or illustration, space within which the subjects of painting can live.
Frank StellaRead
Making art is complicated because the categories are always changing. You just have to make your own art, and whatever categories it falls into will come later.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Creating art can be challenging due to the evolving nature of artistic categories, but artists should focus on their own creations first.
This quote by Frank Stella emphasizes the inherent complexities in the realm of art, particularly due to the ever-changing definitions and expectations surrounding artistic categories. It encourages artists to prioritize their unique creative expression over conforming to predefined labels, suggesting that classification will naturally evolve after the artwork itself is produced.
Themes
ArtCreationCategoriesExpressionIndividuality
In practice
Example use cases
An artist could use this quote while explaining their unconventional approach in a gallery opening.
More from Frank Stella
All quotes βNo art is any good unless you can feel how it's put together. By and large it's the eye, the hand and if it's any good, you feel the body. Most of the best stuff seems to be a complete gesture, the totality of the artist's body; you can really lean on it.
Frank StellaRead
Similar quotes
You will never, I think, fully conquer the play. Every night, you see this Everest before you. It's that two, three hours and the audience, and you'd better tell the truth.
David OyelowoRead
When the audience comes in, it changes the temperature of what you've written.
Stephen SondheimRead
An artist's concern is to capture beauty wherever he finds it.
Kazuo IshiguroRead
Some people create with words or with music or with a brush and paints. I like to make something beautiful when I run. I like to make people stop and say, 'I've never seen anyone run like that before.' It's more than just a race, it's a style. It's doing something better than anyone else. It's being creative.
Steve PrefontaineRead
I think that Bob Dylan knows this more than all of us: you don't write the songs anyhow. So if you're lucky, you can keep the vehicle healthy and responsive over the years. If you're lucky, your own intentions have very little to do with this.
Leonard CohenRead
Talent borrows, genius steals!
Oscar WildeRead