If you feel dirty, insignificant or unloved, then rats are a good role model. They exist without permission, they have no respect for the hierarchy of society, and they have sex 50 times a day.
BanksyRead
I have no interest in ever coming out. I’m just trying to make the pictures look good; I’m not into trying to make myself look good. And besides, it’s a pretty safe bet that the reality of me would be a crushing disappointment to a couple of 15-year-old kids out there.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Banksy emphasizes the importance of art over personal image, suggesting that authenticity in creativity is more valuable than public perception.
In this quote, Banksy reveals his reluctance to seek public approval or attention, instead prioritizing the quality and impact of his artwork. He implies that the essence of the artist and their work should speak for itself without the need for self-promotion. His reflection on potentially disappointing the expectations of youth indicates his understanding of the complexities of identity versus artistic expression.
Themes
ArtAuthenticityIdentityPerceptionDisappointmentCreativity
In practice
Example use cases
During an artist's talk at a gallery, one might share this quote to highlight the importance of artistic authenticity.
More from Banksy
All quotes →T.V. has made going to the theatre seem pointless, photography has pretty much killed painting but graffiti has remained gloriously unspoilt by progress.
BanksyRead
I originally set out to try and save the world, but now I'm not sure I like it enough.
BanksyRead
Graffiti ultimately wins out over proper art because it becomes part of your city, it' s a tool; "I'll meet you in that pub, you know, the one opposite that wall with a picture of a monkey holding a chainsaw". I mean, how much more useful can a painting be than that?
BanksyRead
Think outside the box, collapse the box, and take a f**king sharp knife to it.
BanksyRead
Gaza is often described as 'the world's largest open air prison' because no-one is allowed to enter or leave. But that seems a bit unfair to prisons - they don’t have their electricity and drinking water cut off randomly almost every day.
BanksyRead
Similar quotes
There is something about a poet which leads us to believe that he died, in many cases, as long as 20 years before his birth.
James ThurberRead
Once it is out of his hand the artist has no control over the way a viewer will perceive the work. Different people will understand the same thing in a different way.
Sol LewittRead
The story was writing itself and I was having a hard time keeping up with it.
Ernest HemingwayRead
The curious thing about the Ready-Made is that I've never been able to arrive at a definition or explanation that fully satisfies me. There's still magic in the idea, so I'd rather keep it that way than try to be exoteric about it.
Marcel DuchampRead
I, too, am interested in identity and Islam, which is what people expect of us. But one must not write what is expected. It's important for North African writers to show they have other things to say.
Leila SlimaniRead
I think of myself as a performance artist. I hate being called a pop star. I hate that.
Madonna CicconeRead