--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I can never fathom it when people say…" description: "\"I can never fathom it when people say things like \"I can't understand abstract art!\" Or: \"Abstract art is junk!\" Or: \"Abstract art isn't as valid as re..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48b/derek-r-audette-13963_abstract_i-can-never-fathom-it-when-people-say-th_1148549.jpg" --- # I can never fathom it when people say things like "I can't… ![“I can never fathom it when people say things like "I can't understand abstract art!" Or: "Abstract art is junk!" Or: "Abstract art isn't as valid as realism!"” quote by Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48b/derek-r-audette-13963_abstract_i-can-never-fathom-it-when-people-say-th_1148549.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48b/derek-r-audette-13963_abstract_i-can-never-fathom-it-when-people-say-th_1148549.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48b/derek-r-audette-13963_abstract_i-can-never-fathom-it-when-people-say-th_1148549.jpg) > “I can never fathom it when people say things like "I can't understand abstract art!" Or: "Abstract art is junk!" Or: "Abstract art isn't as valid as realism!"” [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People often dismiss abstract art because they cannot relate to its non‑representational form, mistaking unfamiliarity for lack of value. **In simple terms:** Abstract art is misunderstood due to unfamiliarity. Key Takeaway Seek to experience rather than judge. Themes art appreciation subjectivity culture perception Mood curious reflective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - museum visits - art class discussions - personal creative projects - gallery talks Key Concepts aesthetics interpretation cognitive bias Questions to Reflect On - What emotions arise when you view abstract art? - How can you explore its meaning without preconceptions? A Different Perspective Abstract art can still feel alien even after exposure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abstract](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abstract/) [Abstract art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abstract-art/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Realism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realism/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) ## Related quotes > [I understand abstract art as an attempt to feed imagination with a world built through the basic sensations of the eyes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-helion/i-understand-abstract-art-as-an-attempt-to-feed-imagination-with-a/) [Jean Helion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-helion/) > [There is no such thing as abstract art, or else all art is abstract, which amounts to the same thing. Abstract art no more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-dubuffet/there-is-no-such-thing-as-abstract-art-or-else-all-art-is-abstract/) [Jean Dubuffet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-dubuffet/) > [All art is abstract, because art is an abstraction of the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milford-zornes/all-art-is-abstract-because-art-is-an-abstraction-of-the-truth/) Milford Zornes > [“I can not help feeling that it is a mistake to think that the passion one feels in creation is ever really shown in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/i-can-not-help-feeling-that-it-is-a-mistake-to-think-that-the-passion/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“Even now I cannot help feeling that it is a mistake to think that the passion one feels in creation is ever really shown…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/even-now-i-cannot-help-feeling-that-it-is-a-mistake-to-think-that-the-2/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [All good art is abstract.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newman/all-good-art-is-abstract/) [John Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newman/) > [My art is not abstract, it lives and breathes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-rothko/my-art-is-not-abstract-it-lives-and-breathes/) [Mark Rothko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-rothko/) > [Art is only abstract when you look the other way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-elizabeth-gordon/art-is-only-abstract-when-you-look-the-other-way/) [Karen Elizabeth Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-elizabeth-gordon/) > [Clothes are only completed when somebody actually wears them. If they were art, they could be more abstract. As long as something is new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rei-kawakubo/clothes-are-only-completed-when-somebody-actually-wears-them-if-they/) [Rei Kawakubo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rei-kawakubo/) > [“Art is always more abstract than we fancy. Form and colour tell us of form and colour - that is all. It often seems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/art-is-always-more-abstract-than-we-fancy-form-and-colour-tell-us-of/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [A work of art is an abstract or epitome of the world. It is the result or expression of nature, in miniature. For, although…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-work-of-art-is-an-abstract-or-epitome-of-the-world-it-is-the-result/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The more horrifying this world becomes, the more art becomes abstract.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-key/the-more-horrifying-this-world-becomes-the-more-art-becomes-abstract/) [Ellen Key](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-key/) > [“All great art is abstract.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-renoir/all-great-art-is-abstract/) [Jean Renoir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-renoir/) > [“A work of art is an abstract or epitome of the world. It”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-work-of-art-is-an-abstract-or-epitome-of-the-world-it/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [All good art is abstract in its structure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-strand/all-good-art-is-abstract-in-its-structure/) [Paul Strand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-strand/) ## More by Derek R. Audette > [Sanity can take one of only two forms: that of ignorance, or denial.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/sanity-can-take-one-of-only-two-forms-that-of-ignorance-or-denial/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) > [If you're going to condemn a people based on the actions of the worst of its ranks; take a good look at the worst…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/if-you-re-going-to-condemn-a-people-based-on-the-actions-of-the-worst/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) > [No matter how substandard you feel your skill or talent may be, If you never produce your art, the world will always remain deprived…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/no-matter-how-substandard-you-feel-your-skill-or-talent-may-be-if-you/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) > [There has got to be a point that exists somewhere, when a rational person just has to shake his head and say: 'You know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/there-has-got-to-be-a-point-that-exists-somewhere-when-a-rational/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) > [Abstraction is an exercise in a pre-assured failure. It is a futile attempt to communicate the non-communicable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/abstraction-is-an-exercise-in-a-pre-assured-failure-it-is-a-futile/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) > [Thoughts, words, ideas and information, free from any bonds or restrictions, is the very concrete which pours out a foundation strong enough that upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/thoughts-words-ideas-and-information-free-from-any-bonds-or/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) > [The question is not whether the good outweighs the bad. The question is whether or not the good excuses the bad. And, in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/the-question-is-not-whether-the-good-outweighs-the-bad-the-question/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) > [Without compassion, true gratitude is an impossibility. If we are to feel gratitude towards another for their deeds, then we must have compassion for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/without-compassion-true-gratitude-is-an-impossibility-if-we-are-to/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) > [Gratitude free of compassion is selfishness. It is nothing more than being happy for what has been done to benefit you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/gratitude-free-of-compassion-is-selfishness-it-is-nothing-more-than/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) > [One of the most distinguishing differences between liberals and conservatives in America is that the average Liberal feels that we should have little reservation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/one-of-the-most-distinguishing-differences-between-liberals-and/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) > [In a world where God does not exist, any reasonable person must see that the propensity toward selfishness should be the most venerated of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/in-a-world-where-god-does-not-exist-any-reasonable-person-must-see/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) > [Those who are offended by something are most often those who deserve to be offended by it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/those-who-are-offended-by-something-are-most-often-those-who-deserve/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) > [If you want to know what true art is: Go outside on a clear night, wait until it gets very, very dark, then look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/if-you-want-to-know-what-true-art-is-go-outside-on-a-clear-night-wait/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) > [The nobility which exists within any cause is to be found not in any achievement, but instead within the struggle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/the-nobility-which-exists-within-any-cause-is-to-be-found-not-in-any/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) > [The universal methodology of the tyrant is always incrementalism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/the-universal-methodology-of-the-tyrant-is-always-incrementalism/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) [Explore all 48 Derek R. Audette quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) ## More Abstract quotes > [Love is like that, fragile and light. No wonder it rests upon our hearts in intangible moments, bids us follow fleeting thoughts and ideas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-like-that-fragile-and-light-no-wonder-it-rests-upon-our/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Wisdom is the abstract of the past, but beauty is the promise of the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/wisdom-is-the-abstract-of-the-past-but-beauty-is-the-promise-of-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Where human eyes have never seen, where human beings have never been, I build a world of abstract dreams, and I wait for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-ra/where-human-eyes-have-never-seen-where-human-beings-have-never-been-i/) [Sun Ra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-ra/) > [A little too abstract, a little too wise, It is time for us to kiss the earth again, It is time to let the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robinson-jeffers/a-little-too-abstract-a-little-too-wise-it-is-time-for-us-to-kiss-the/) [Robinson Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robinson-jeffers/) > [“Happy is very abstract, you can't touch it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-veal/happy-is-very-abstract-you-can-t-touch-it/) [Julius Veal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-veal/) > [Abstract Expressionism was invented by New York drunks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/abstract-expressionism-was-invented-by-new-york-drunks/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [The more horrible this world (as today, for instance), the more abstract our art, whereas a happy world brings forth an art of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/the-more-horrible-this-world-as-today-for-instance-the-more-abstract/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > [Describing comic sensibility is near impossible. It's sort of an abstract silliness, that sometimes the joke isn't the star.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-carvey/describing-comic-sensibility-is-near-impossible-it-s-sort-of-an/) [Dana Carvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-carvey/) > [For people of color - especially African Americans - the idea that racist cops might frame members of their community is no abstract notion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-wise/for-people-of-color-especially-african-americans-the-idea-that-racist/) [Tim Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-wise/) > [The word of the Lord never comes to us as an opinion, no attempt is made to support it by argument, it comes as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-w-ivins/the-word-of-the-lord-never-comes-to-us-as-an-opinion-no-attempt-is/) Anthony W. Ivins > [A mobile is an abstract sculpture made chiefly out of sheet metal, steel rods, wire and wood. Some or all of these elements move,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-calder/a-mobile-is-an-abstract-sculpture-made-chiefly-out-of-sheet-metal/) [Alexander Calder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-calder/) > [I'm this superphilosophical kind of person. Stuck in a prison of abstract ideas and overpowering emotions, I have this personality that makes it really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natsuo-kirino/i-m-this-superphilosophical-kind-of-person-stuck-in-a-prison-of/) [Natsuo Kirino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natsuo-kirino/) > [Future lawyers should be more aware that law is not a system of abstract logic, but the web of arrangements, rooted in history but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-frankfurter/future-lawyers-should-be-more-aware-that-law-is-not-a-system-of/) [Felix Frankfurter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-frankfurter/) > [The trouble is that when you read criticisms about the other films that I've made you get the impression that they're all about themes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-haneke/the-trouble-is-that-when-you-read-criticisms-about-the-other-films/) [Michael Haneke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-haneke/) > [Painting is... a richer language than words... Painting operates through signs which are not abstract and incorporeal like words. The signs of painting are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-dubuffet/painting-is-a-richer-language-than-words-painting-operates-through/) [Jean Dubuffet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-dubuffet/) [Browse all 1,403 Abstract quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abstract/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I can never fathom it when people say things like \"I can't understand abstract art!\" Or: \"Abstract art is junk!\" Or: \"Abstract art isn't as valid as realism!\"", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Derek R. Audette" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/i-can-never-fathom-it-when-people-say-things-like-i-can-t-understand/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Abstract" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/i-can-never-fathom-it-when-people-say-things-like-i-can-t-understand/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48b/derek-r-audette-13963_abstract_i-can-never-fathom-it-when-people-say-th_1148549.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48b/derek-r-audette-13963_abstract_i-can-never-fathom-it-when-people-say-th_1148549.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/48b/derek-r-audette-13963_abstract_i-can-never-fathom-it-when-people-say-th_1148549.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I can never fathom it when people say things like \"I can't understand abstract art!\" Or: \"Abstract art is…” — Derek R. Audette", "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": "Derek R. Audette", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I can never fathom it when...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/i-can-never-fathom-it-when-people-say-things-like-i-can-t-understand/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/i-can-never-fathom-it-when-people-say-things-like-i-can-t-understand/#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 } } ] } ```