Willem de Kooning Quotes

There is no must in art because art is free.

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

There are no categories in contemporary art. There are no rules. Artists are given the freedom to make and create whatever they please and call it whatever they please. I identify with that system, or lack of system, much more than I do the landscape of contemporary publishing.

There are no rules in art.

When artists make art, they shouldn't question whether it is permissible to do one thing or another.

I love this freedom that has been given to me as an artist to express myself.

I'm an artist, and an artist doesn't worry about being politically correct when I write.

In free society art is not a weapon...Artists are not engineers of the soul.

In civic life, I think that's where you can debate what is good taste and what is acceptable to other people, and what's gonna offend people. Do that there, but leave it out of art, because art is the one frontier that shouldn't have restraints put on it.

For instance, I may bring a certain feminist perspective to my songwriting, because that's how I see life. I'm interested in art, poetry, and music. As that kind of artist, I can do anything. I can say anything. It's about self-expression. It knows no package - there's no such thing. That's what being an artist is.

Expression and the right to express is vital, anyone can be artistic.

One may do whatever one likes. In art, the only thing is, to make sure that one does like it.

I'm all about freedom in art. I'm from Texas, so when someone tells you which way to ride your horse, you think 'I'll just go to a different ranch. You guys are riding it backwards anyway.

Art is about freedom of expression, and should not be molded to fit any propaganda or lofty ideal.

This is America. We're allowed to draw whatever we want.

Freedom of speech is, to all Americans, as oxygen is to the human condition. It is a right that has been irreversibly programmed into our hard drive. We are free to speak our minds. An artist's right to express him or herself as best suits their art, is the artist's prerogative and it is guaranteed.

A novelist has a specific poetic license which also applies to his own life.

Any director or writer or artist has the right to do what they want to do - freedom of expression is something I celebrate.

Sometimes I feel like I'm taking on a role when I'm writing a song, and it doesn't always have to be true. I'm not sitting in my room crying with my guitar, writing a slow solo about a depressing breakup; that's not me.

Within reason, I can write what I like and spend as long doing it as is necessary. That is a luxury beyond price.

The freedom of every artist is essential.

All artists are now free to express their own personality.

Unlike fashion, art isn't applied. It doesn't have to serve anybody. It doesn't have to be there for any other reason than to give an impression of what the world is about.

Art does imitate life, it has to come from somewhere. To put boundaries and limitations on it doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

Performers have the right to say what they want to, and anyone paying money has the right to accept or reject the art and entertainment that's available.