--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We're in a post-conceptual era where it's…" description: "\"We're in a post-conceptual era where it's really the artist's idea and vision that are prized rather than the ability to master the crafts that support..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/jeffrey-deitch-17629_ability_we-re-in-a-post-conceptual-era-where-it_2574460.jpg" --- # We're in a post-conceptual era where it's really the… ![“We're in a post-conceptual era where it's really the artist's idea and vision that are prized rather than the ability to master the crafts that support the work. Today, our understanding of an artist is closer to a philosopher than to a craftsman.” quote by Jeffrey Deitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/jeffrey-deitch-17629_ability_we-re-in-a-post-conceptual-era-where-it_2574460.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/jeffrey-deitch-17629_ability_we-re-in-a-post-conceptual-era-where-it_2574460.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e9c/jeffrey-deitch-17629_ability_we-re-in-a-post-conceptual-era-where-it_2574460.jpg) > “We're in a post-conceptual era where it's really the artist's idea and vision that are prized rather than the ability to master the crafts that support the work. Today, our understanding of an artist is closer to a philosopher than to a craftsman.” [Jeffrey Deitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-deitch/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Modern art values concept and vision over technical skill, aligning artists more with philosophers than craftsmen. **In simple terms:** Concepts trump craft now. Key Takeaway Balance idea and skill. Themes art philosophy craftsmanship Mood analytical thoughtful Type critical theoretical When to use this quote - museum curation - art education Key Concepts contemporary art creative process artist identity Questions to Reflect On - How can artists integrate skill with concept? - What role should craftsmanship play today? A Different Perspective May undervalue technical mastery. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Artist Idea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist-idea-1720816/) [Conceptual Era](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conceptual-era-1720817/) [Crafts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crafts/) [Craftsman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/craftsman/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Eras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eras/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Masters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/masters/) [Philosopher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosopher/) [Philosopher Craftsman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosopher-craftsman-1720815/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Post Conceptual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/post-conceptual-1720814/) [Support](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/support/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) [Understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding/) [Understanding Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding-artist-1720813/) [Vision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vision/) ## Related quotes > [There must be understanding between the artist and the people. In the best ages of art that has always been the case. Genius can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathe-kollwitz/there-must-be-understanding-between-the-artist-and-the-people-in-the/) [Kathe Kollwitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathe-kollwitz/) > [As a person, I'm a good person who shows up for my friends. I do my best to be good. As an artist, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sia/as-a-person-i-m-a-good-person-who-shows-up-for-my-friends-i-do-my/) [Sia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sia/) > [I didn't have any real idea that I was going to be an artist; I had no idea what that meant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-martinez/i-didn-t-have-any-real-idea-that-i-was-going-to-be-an-artist-i-had-no/) [Melanie Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-martinez/) > [The real artist has no idea that he is sacrificing himself for art. He does “what he does for one reason and one reason…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alma-gluck/the-real-artist-has-no-idea-that-he-is-sacrificing-himself-for-art-he/) [Alma Gluck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alma-gluck/) > [I'm not the kind of artist who has an idea and then carries it out; it's more like I find what the idea was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecily-brown/i-m-not-the-kind-of-artist-who-has-an-idea-and-then-carries-it-out-it/) [Cecily Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecily-brown/) > [You can't find a YouTube clip to become a craftsman, friend, parent - or disciple of Christ. It's all of grace. And to grow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-horton/you-can-t-find-a-youtube-clip-to-become-a-craftsman-friend-parent-or/) [Michael Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-horton/) > [“craftsman mindset is the foundation for creating work you love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/craftsman-mindset-is-the-foundation-for-creating-work-you-love/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Potter is jealous of potter, and craftsman of craftsman; and the poor have a grudge against the poor, and the poet against the poet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hesiod/potter-is-jealous-of-potter-and-craftsman-of-craftsman-and-the-poor/) [Hesiod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hesiod/) > [Nevertheless, the Tenth Commandment-'Thou shalt not covet'-recognizes that making money and owning things could become selfish activities. But it is not the creation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/nevertheless-the-tenth-commandment-thou-shalt-not-covet-recognizes/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [“If I demand to be both the craftsman and the tool, I will be neither.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/if-i-demand-to-be-both-the-craftsman-and-the-tool-i-will-be-neither/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [I grew up in a craftsman's home, where things were done with our own hands. I did cabinetmaking for four years and I hated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-zumthor/i-grew-up-in-a-craftsman-s-home-where-things-were-done-with-our-own/) [Peter Zumthor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-zumthor/) > [The movies today are too rich to have any room for genuine artists. They produce a few passable craftsmen, but no artists. Can you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/the-movies-today-are-too-rich-to-have-any-room-for-genuine-artists/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [If theory is the role of the architect, then such beautiful proofs are the role of the craftsman. Of course, as with the great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-atiyah/if-theory-is-the-role-of-the-architect-then-such-beautiful-proofs-are/) [Michael Atiyah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-atiyah/) > [“What is the difference between “creator” and “craftsman”? The one who creates bestows being itself, he brings something out of nothing— ex nihilo sui…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/what-is-the-difference-between-creator-and-craftsman-the-one-who/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [My father was a very good craftsman. He made furniture, he made silverware and he had an incredible gift in terms of how you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-ive/my-father-was-a-very-good-craftsman-he-made-furniture-he-made/) [Jonathan Ive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-ive/) ## More by Jeffrey Deitch > [Part of my agenda has been to support art that engages life with people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-deitch/part-of-my-agenda-has-been-to-support-art-that-engages-life-with/) [Jeffrey Deitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-deitch/) > [Skateboarding, like graffiti, will never be tamed. No matter how much they monetize it, no matter how big it gets, no matter how many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-deitch/skateboarding-like-graffiti-will-never-be-tamed-no-matter-how-much/) [Jeffrey Deitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-deitch/) > [Ramp skating has become the most popular televised form of skating because they can constrain it. They can judge it based on what's happening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-deitch/ramp-skating-has-become-the-most-popular-televised-form-of-skating/) [Jeffrey Deitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-deitch/) > [Every day you run into artists on the streets in SoHo or other creative people you want to do something with. There's nothing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-deitch/every-day-you-run-into-artists-on-the-streets-in-soho-or-other/) [Jeffrey Deitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-deitch/) > [There is a constant ebb and flow in art historical reputations. The reputation of even the greatest figures like Picasso are in flux.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-deitch/there-is-a-constant-ebb-and-flow-in-art-historical-reputations-the/) [Jeffrey Deitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-deitch/) > [One of the interesting things about skateboarding and graffiti is that skateboarding exists in the documentation of an act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-deitch/one-of-the-interesting-things-about-skateboarding-and-graffiti-is/) [Jeffrey Deitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-deitch/) > [Celebrity has become, for better or worse, an art form. An artist can use themselves as a medium to become a celebrity as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-deitch/celebrity-has-become-for-better-or-worse-an-art-form-an-artist-can/) [Jeffrey Deitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-deitch/) > [In the 1970s when I started in the art world, no self-respecting artist would have stood in line to try to get on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-deitch/in-the-1970s-when-i-started-in-the-art-world-no-self-respecting/) [Jeffrey Deitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-deitch/) > [Sometimes you do a sound installation, and the first day or two it is very exciting. Then you are hearing this every day for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-deitch/sometimes-you-do-a-sound-installation-and-the-first-day-or-two-it-is/) [Jeffrey Deitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-deitch/) > [Disney is our contemporary landscape. The best art will reflect that and challenge you. Disney comforts you, whereas the best art shakes up your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-deitch/disney-is-our-contemporary-landscape-the-best-art-will-reflect-that/) [Jeffrey Deitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-deitch/) > [I started getting really curious about art. I read about the Dadaists and the Futurists and the Constructivists - those kind of movements which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-deitch/i-started-getting-really-curious-about-art-i-read-about-the-dadaists/) [Jeffrey Deitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-deitch/) > [Overall, I think any opportunity to expose people to art on a mass level - to have some kid in Oklahoma say to his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-deitch/overall-i-think-any-opportunity-to-expose-people-to-art-on-a-mass/) [Jeffrey Deitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-deitch/) > [Street culture is punk, hip-hop, skateboarding, surfing, graffiti. It's like a massive global culture that is all tied together. But for so many years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-deitch/street-culture-is-punk-hip-hop-skateboarding-surfing-graffiti-it-s/) [Jeffrey Deitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-deitch/) > [Street skating, which is what I grew up with, is completely free of rules. You can do anything. When I see a skater go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-deitch/street-skating-which-is-what-i-grew-up-with-is-completely-free-of/) [Jeffrey Deitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-deitch/) > [To be in Brazil and see the work of Os Gêmeos or to be in England and see what Banksy is doing is pretty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-deitch/to-be-in-brazil-and-see-the-work-of-os-g-meos-or-to-be-in-england-and/) [Jeffrey Deitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-deitch/) [Explore all 36 Jeffrey Deitch quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-deitch/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We're in a post-conceptual era where it's really the artist's idea and vision that are prized rather than the ability to master the crafts that support the work. 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