Art Quote by Hubert Selby Jr
““Being an artist doesn't take much. Just everything you got. Which means of course that as the process is giving you life, it is also bringing you closer to death. But it's no big deal. They are one in the same and cannot be avoided or denied. So when I totally embrace this process, this life/death, and abandon myself to it completely, I transcend all this gibberish and hang out with the gods. It seems to me that that is worth the price of admission.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Last Exit to Brooklyn, Hubert Selby Jr, 1964
Art forces confronting mortality, merging creation with death, leading to transcendence when fully embraced.
In simple terms: Art mixes life and death, and embracing both can lift you beyond ordinary concerns.
Key Takeaway
Accept the process, let go, and seek higher insight.
Themes
mortality
creation
transcendence
acceptance
Mood
introspective
intense
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- performing arts
- personal crisis
- creative projects
- rituals
- meditation
Key Concepts
existentialism
artistic expression
spirituality
Questions to Reflect On
- How does confronting mortality affect your creative work?
- What does “hanging out with the gods” mean to you?
A Different Perspective
The intensity may overwhelm those unprepared for confronting death.
