All art really does is keep you focused on questions of humanity, and it really is about how do we get on with our maker.
David BowieRead
I guess, taking away all the theatrics or the costuming and the outer layers of what I do, I'm a writer... I write.
Interpretation
What this quote means
David Bowie emphasizes the essence of his identity as a writer beyond any external embellishments.
In this quote, David Bowie expresses that at the core of his being, he identifies as a writer, stripping away any superficial elements such as theatrics or appearances. This statement reflects the idea that true artistic identity is rooted in authenticity and the fundamental act of creation rather than in the performance or perception of that identity.
Themes
WriterIdentityAuthenticityCreativityArt
In practice
Example use cases
A speaker at a writing workshop might use this quote to inspire aspiring authors to focus on their true voice.
More from David Bowie
All quotes →I always had a repulsive need to be something more than human.
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But I've got to think of myself as the luckiest guy. Robert Johnson only had one album's worth of work as his legacy. That's all that life allowed him.
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I'm an early riser. I get up between five and six, have coffee, and read for a couple of hours before everyone else gets up.
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I'm not actually a very keen performer. I like putting shows together. I like putting events together. In fact, everything I do is about the conceptualizing and realization of a piece of work, whether it's the recording or the performance side.
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