Art Quote by Jane Smiley

Artists don't create society, they reflect it

— Ben Elton

... artists were intended to be an ornament to society. As a society in themselves they are unthinkable.

— Elizabeth Bowen

Everybody is bound by some social rules. But I think that artists need some kind of freedom to explore their minds and that some…

— Anne Roiphe

Artists have to show us what is not going well within the person and within the society, not try to cover it up.

— Nhat Hanh

I believe the artist has an obligation to society.

— Marina Abramovic

I think that, as artists, all we can do is be who we are. I think that if we do that, then we're automatically…

— Kelsea Ballerini

I think every artist should follow their vision, their hearts is what they need to reveal, not something that society is looking out for.

— Serj Tankian

Artists are the people for whom the world is not enough.

— Paul Auster

If artists cannot speak up for human dignity or rights, then who else will do it?

— Ai Weiwei

Whoever is in charge of the artist will always have the upper hand. They act like it's the artists' world, but it's the other…

— Sonny Sandoval

I think artists should define themselves. They should speak about their work and how it relates to society and what's going on in the…

— Jose Parla

Others may be able to accept standards from another, but an artist is a person who decides.

— William Stafford