Art Quote by Jill Christman
““My mother defines collage as a combination of things unexpected. The artist can choose things that appeal to her visually, and put them together psychologically. Thus, she took photos of her beloved brother, cut out from the context of prison, and let him romp with the fairies. . Or a window in a tree... flowers growing in unlikely places, the way you might wish they would. In collage you can put whatever you want anywhere. You make your own order out of the real stuff you are given to work with. . My mother told me this, and then she called a few days later to amend her original statement. Mark's collages weren't like mine, she said. I choose disparate elements and see how they fit together, what they might make. Mark decided what he wanted to make and then chose the pieces specifically to make that preconceived picture. ””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Art Talk with Jill Christman, 2019
Collage is an artistic process of assembling unexpected visual elements to create new meanings, either by exploring how pieces naturally interact or by imposing a pre‑planned concept.
In simple terms: Collage mixes surprising parts to form new ideas.
Key Takeaway
Choose whether to discover connections or design a specific vision.
Themes
creativity
visual art
process
interpretation
Mood
inspired
reflective
Type
instructional
philosophical
When to use this quote
- gallery exhibition planning
- personal art projects
- educational workshops
- creative brainstorming
Key Concepts
composition
serendipity
intentionality
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you prefer discovering relationships or imposing a vision?
- How does your approach affect the emotional impact?
A Different Perspective
May limit spontaneity if over‑planned, reducing the surprise element.
![“[Robert's eulogy at his brother, Ebon C. Ingersoll's grave. Even the great orator Robert Ingersoll was choked up with tears at the memory of his beloved brother] The record of a generous life runs like a vine around the memory of our dead, and every sweet, unselfish act is now a perfumed flower…” quote by Robert G. Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/eff/robert-g-ingersoll-4527_alms_robert-s-eulogy-at-his-brother-ebon-c-in_1639367.jpg)
![“Beloved brother, let us not forget that man can never get away from himself. [Ger., Lass uns, geliebter Bruder, nicht vergessen, Dass von sich selbst der Mensch nicht scheiden kann.]” quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/349/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_beloved_beloved-brother-let-us-not-forget-that-m_2605709.jpg)
![“Which brings me to one more thing about the Sheridan FCI [prison]. After you make it through the metal detector, you re stamped on the flesh above your right thumb with ink visible only in the black light of the prison checkpoints. Then you wait in a holding area like a farm animal before the next…” quote by Jill Christman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9b1/jill-christman-65105_prison_which-brings-me-to-one-more-thing-about_2825264.jpg)
