Skip to content

Calmer Quote by Howard Hodgkin

“A lot of people... are afraid of pictures which have visible emotions in them. They feel calmer in front of pictures which are placid.” quote by Howard Hodgkin
Download Open image
“A lot of people... are afraid of pictures which have visible emotions in them. They feel calmer in front of pictures which are placid.”

Howard Hodgkin

About This Quote

Source Interview: Art Talk, Howard Hodgkin, 2010

People prefer images that hide emotion because they feel safer, while expressive images provoke discomfort.

In simple terms: Calm pictures feel safe; emotional ones feel unsettling.

Key Takeaway

Embrace discomfort to engage deeper.

Themes

art emotion perception

Mood

reflective curious

Type

analytical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • gallery visits
  • art therapy
  • media consumption

Key Concepts

aesthetic theory psychology

Questions to Reflect On

  • Why do we avoid emotional art?
  • How can we learn from unsettling images?
A Different Perspective

Some may argue calm images also convey meaning.

2.2 out of 5 (9 ratings)

More by Howard Hodgkin

Explore all 37 Howard Hodgkin quotes

More Calmer quotes

Browse all 63 Calmer quotes