--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The function of art is to do more than…" description: "\"The function of art is to do more than tell it like it is-it’s to imagine what is possible.\" — Bell Hooks" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/008/bell-hooks-464_art_the-function-of-art-is-to-do-more-than-t_678404.jpg" --- # The function of art is to do more than tell it like it… ![“The function of art is to do more than tell it like it is-it’s to imagine what is possible.” quote by Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/008/bell-hooks-464_art_the-function-of-art-is-to-do-more-than-t_678404.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/008/bell-hooks-464_art_the-function-of-art-is-to-do-more-than-t_678404.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/008/bell-hooks-464_art_the-function-of-art-is-to-do-more-than-t_678404.jpg) > “The function of art is to do more than tell it like it is-it’s to imagine what is possible.” [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Art should go beyond realistic representation to imagine possibilities and inspire change. **In simple terms:** Art imagines possibilities beyond reality. Key Takeaway Create art that envisions new futures. Themes creativity imagination social change Mood hopeful inspirational Type philosophical activist When to use this quote - education - community projects - activist art Key Concepts critical theory visionary art Questions to Reflect On - What possibilities can art reveal? - How does imagination drive social change? A Different Perspective May be limited by audience reception. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Art is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-is/) [Art Tell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-tell-1814849/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Function](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/function/) [Function Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/function-art-1157700/) [Imagination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagination/) [Imagine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagine/) [Imagine Possible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagine-possible-1375068/) [Like Imagine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-imagine-303761/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [The function of Art is to disturb. Science reassures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georges-braque/the-function-of-art-is-to-disturb-science-reassures/) [Georges Braque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georges-braque/) > [The allotted function of art is not, as is often assumed, to put across ideas, to propagate thoughts, to serve as an example. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrei-tarkovsky/the-allotted-function-of-art-is-not-as-is-often-assumed-to-put-across/) [Andrei Tarkovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrei-tarkovsky/) > [They say the average person can't make a living in art... but if you tell me there's something I can't do, that's what I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-sutherland/they-say-the-average-person-can-t-make-a-living-in-art-but-if-you/) [George Sutherland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-sutherland/) > [Imagine that anything is possible, and name the most amazing thing that could happen in 2013.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/imagine-that-anything-is-possible-and-name-the-most-amazing-thing/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [“it’s been to focus on culture and imagine what’s possible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satya-nadella/it-s-been-to-focus-on-culture-and-imagine-what-s-possible/) [Satya Nadella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satya-nadella/) > [Before you can do something that you've never done, you have to be able to imagine it is possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-shinoda-bolen/before-you-can-do-something-that-you-ve-never-done-you-have-to-be/) [Jean Shinoda Bolen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-shinoda-bolen/) > [You have to imagine it possible before you can see something. You can have the evidence right in front of you, but if you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-dove/you-have-to-imagine-it-possible-before-you-can-see-something-you-can/) [Rita Dove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-dove/) > [Any work of art must first of all tell a story.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/any-work-of-art-must-first-of-all-tell-a-story/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [Your art is what you do when no one can tell you exactly how to do it. Your art is the act of taking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth/your-art-is-what-you-do-when-no-one-can-tell-you-exactly-how-to-do-it/) [Seth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth/) > [I look at things and try to imagine what is possible and then hope to surpass those boundaries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jackson/i-look-at-things-and-try-to-imagine-what-is-possible-and-then-hope-to/) [Michael Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jackson/) > [“It's like with art. You can't tell someone how to do it, or it's not her art. You can't tell someone else how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-kenneally/it-s-like-with-art-you-can-t-tell-someone-how-to-do-it-or-it-s-not/) [Miranda Kenneally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-kenneally/) > [With the artists, I don't teach, I coach. I can't tell them how to make art. I tell them to make more art. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-hickey/with-the-artists-i-don-t-teach-i-coach-i-can-t-tell-them-how-to-make/) [Dave Hickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-hickey/) > [“The one thing necessary in life, as in art is to tell the truth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/the-one-thing-necessary-in-life-as-in-art-is-to-tell-the-truth/) [Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/) > [People can't even imagine that it's possible to succeed anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/najat-vallaud-belkacem/people-can-t-even-imagine-that-it-s-possible-to-succeed-anymore/) [Najat Vallaud-Belkacem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/najat-vallaud-belkacem/) > [“My approach has never been to conduct business as usual. Instead it’s been to focus on culture and imagine what’s possible.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satya-nadella/my-approach-has-never-been-to-conduct-business-as-usual-instead-it-s/) [Satya Nadella](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satya-nadella/) ## More by Bell Hooks > [Right now, for many Americans, class is being foregrounded like never before because of the economic situation. It doesn't mean that race doesn't matter,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/right-now-for-many-americans-class-is-being-foregrounded-like-never/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [“Most folks believe we are hardwired biologically to long for sex but they do not believe we are hardwired to long for love. Almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/most-folks-believe-we-are-hardwired-biologically-to-long-for-sex-but/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [... we need to interrogate "reverence," for idolization can be another way one is objectified and not really taken seriously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/we-need-to-interrogate-reverence-for-idolization-can-be-another-way/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [Couples who rarely or never have sex can know lifelong love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/couples-who-rarely-or-never-have-sex-can-know-lifelong-love/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [The power of patriarchy has been to make maleness feared and to make men feel that it is better to be feared that to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/the-power-of-patriarchy-has-been-to-make-maleness-feared-and-to-make/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [“I feel enormously blessed to be a successful black woman writer in this culture, but I have found my small fame, such as it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/i-feel-enormously-blessed-to-be-a-successful-black-woman-writer-in/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [Language is also a place of struggle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/language-is-also-a-place-of-struggle/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [In this culture, the phrase 'black woman' is not synonymous with 'tender,' or 'gentle.' It's as if those words couldn't possibly speak to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/in-this-culture-the-phrase-black-woman-is-not-synonymous-with-tender/) [bell hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [It's interesting to look at all the aspects where everyday Americans, many of whom are not college educated, are thinking deeply now about our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/it-s-interesting-to-look-at-all-the-aspects-where-everyday-americans/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [The true teacher is within us. A good teacher is someone who can help you to go back and touch the true teacher within,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/the-true-teacher-is-within-us-a-good-teacher-is-someone-who-can-help/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [“Advancing the notion that there can be many "feminisms" has served the conservative and liberal political interests of women seeking status and privileged class…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/advancing-the-notion-that-there-can-be-many-feminisms-has-served-the/) [bell hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [I love my family, even as I critique their dysfunctionalities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/i-love-my-family-even-as-i-critique-their-dysfunctionalities/) [bell hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [You must have courage to love, you have to have a profound will to do what is right to love, and it does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/you-must-have-courage-to-love-you-have-to-have-a-profound-will-to-do/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [To truly love we must learn to mix various ingredients - care, affection, recognition, respect, commitment, and trust, as well as honest and open…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/to-truly-love-we-must-learn-to-mix-various-ingredients-care-affection/) [Bell Hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) > [“Often emphasis on identity and lifestyle is appealing because it creates a false sense that one is engaged in praxis. However, praxis within any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/often-emphasis-on-identity-and-lifestyle-is-appealing-because-it/) [bell hooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) [Explore all 541 Bell Hooks quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) [Taf Teh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taf-teh/) > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The function of art is to do more than tell it like it is-it’s to imagine what is possible.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bell Hooks" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/the-function-of-art-is-to-do-more-than-tell-it-like-it-is-it-s-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Art" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/the-function-of-art-is-to-do-more-than-tell-it-like-it-is-it-s-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/008/bell-hooks-464_art_the-function-of-art-is-to-do-more-than-t_678404.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/008/bell-hooks-464_art_the-function-of-art-is-to-do-more-than-t_678404.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/008/bell-hooks-464_art_the-function-of-art-is-to-do-more-than-t_678404.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The function of art is to do more than tell it like it is-it’s to imagine what is possible.” — Bell Hooks", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Bell Hooks", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bell-hooks/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The function of art is to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/the-function-of-art-is-to-do-more-than-tell-it-like-it-is-it-s-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bell-hooks/the-function-of-art-is-to-do-more-than-tell-it-like-it-is-it-s-to/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```