“It wasn't really until after I got out of art school that I realized that I'd been doing that sort of for the audience, for that context. Somehow, being alone in the room, it made no sense at all to make those kinds of paintings.” KindArtMadeSchoolRoomsAudiencePaintingI RealizedArt School Author:John Currin
“Just don't do things that depress you. I realized if it depresses me, then I just don't want to get close to it. If it brings me down, I just really can't get into it.” IfsWantI RealizedDepressingBring Me Down Author:John Currin
“I think a big problem with art school is that it makes people feel like they have to be interested in everything that's of high quality.” PeopleThinkingFeelsArtProblemBigsSchoolQualityBig ProblemsHigh QualityArt School Author:John Currin
“I think a lot of people take a scholarly approach where they feel like you're supposed to study things that depress you.” PeopleThinkingFeelsStudyLike YouApproachDepressingScholarly Author:John Currin
“That was an important development for me, just realizing that you need to follow your pleasure, at least as a painter. I think any kind of artist needs to, no matter what you're doing.” ThinkingNeedsKindImportantMatterArtistRealizingPleasureDevelopmentNo Matter WhatPainter Author:John Currin
“There's nothing worse than people talking about theories and humor.” PeopleTalkingTheoryPeople Talking Author:John Currin
“A painting of any quality is always going to have nerdy energy, an affirmation behind it. It's gonna be like a kid playing a video game.” KidsGamesEnergyBehindsQualityPaintingVideoAffirmationNerdyKids Playing Author:John Currin
“Painting is like being a lawyer and attacking a corporation.” PaintingLawyerCorporationsAttacking Author:John Currin
“Music can be so manipulating - especially in terms of horror. It's such an important part of building the tension.” ImportantTermBuildingHorrorTension Author:Avey Tare
“You have to like everything that you're painting. Maybe on a narrative level it seems harsh... but I like everything in all my paintings. It's as if you need to be less intelligent at that level.” IfsNeedsSeemsLevelsPaintingIntelligentNarrativeHarsh Author:John Currin