You read the title and thought I was talking smack. But in fact, I’m trying to give advice.
The history of the world is one of shared spaces, shared food, shared water, shared DNA, shared lives. The history of art is the same. It is a history of an evolution of ideas, of appropriation and application. Therefore, if you’re looking for inspiration, look no further than 1. inside you; and then 2. to other art work that fuels your soul. Apply your own story to what you see. Make it relevant, make it yours. Remix it all and you’re underway. Filmmaker Jim Jarmusch says it best:
“Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is nonexistent.”
The above image plus the reminder that all of life is a collage, via the uber talented Austin Kleon.
Good point, everything is recycled! Creativity is how u do recycle the things around u.
…must steal that quote to share with my daughters as we start off our studio together. This is a discussion we have had ad nauseum. love it!
I’ve always wondered if the photographers, or more precisely their work that I am influenced by, were possibly stolen ideas from a work that they were influenced by.
I understand that no thought is completely original, but just copying (pictured above) skips understanding. And understanding is how you grow.
Imagine what it was like back in the day when the first painter painted a portrait of someone, or the first landscape artist painted the Grand Canyon. I wonder what those artist thought when they were out walking along and saw the first painting of something similar to their work and it wasn’t theirs.