Absolute Quote by Brian Wildsmith
“In England, there is a dividing line between artists and illustrators, who are thought inferior to painters. Well, that's absolute rubbish. Some of the most creative work is being done in children's books. In Japan, everything is art. They don't say painting is better than ceramics or dress design.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Art and Illustration Discussion, 2010
The quote challenges the hierarchy that ranks painting above illustration, noting that creative value is not limited to traditional fine art and that cultures like Japan treat all visual media equally.
In simple terms: Illustration is as valuable as painting.
Recognize all art forms equally.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- children's book publishing
- art education curriculum
- gallery curation
- media criticism
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does cultural context shape artistic value?
- What can be done to elevate illustration in mainstream art?
Some may argue market demand still favors traditional painting.