--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I've been an art collector since the…" description: "\"I've been an art collector since the Sixties, and I kept it very separate from my showbusiness career. I've had art shows since the early Nineties, a m..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cf/john-waters-751_art_i-ve-been-an-art-collector-since-the-six_1945414.jpg" --- # I've been an art collector since the Sixties, and I kept… ![“I've been an art collector since the Sixties, and I kept it very separate from my showbusiness career. I've had art shows since the early Nineties, a museum show that travelled to four countries. I've had three or four art books; it's just another way I have to tell stories.” quote by John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cf/john-waters-751_art_i-ve-been-an-art-collector-since-the-six_1945414.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cf/john-waters-751_art_i-ve-been-an-art-collector-since-the-six_1945414.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cf/john-waters-751_art_i-ve-been-an-art-collector-since-the-six_1945414.jpg) > “I've been an art collector since the Sixties, and I kept it very separate from my showbusiness career. I've had art shows since the early Nineties, a museum show that travelled to four countries. I've had three or four art books; it's just another way I have to tell stories.” [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Separating artistic pursuits from commercial work maintains creative integrity. **In simple terms:** Keep art and business separate. Key Takeaway Protect artistic authenticity. Themes art career integrity Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type personal philosophical When to use this quote - gallery curation - personal branding - career planning - art education Key Concepts creative independence brand management storytelling Questions to Reflect On - Can art benefit from commercial exposure? - How to maintain authenticity while collaborating? A Different Perspective Balancing separation can limit cross‑disciplinary opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Museum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/museum/) [Nineties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nineties/) ## Related quotes > [I'm not really an art collector - I'm more of a person who picks up things. I have pieces by people like Gerhard Richter,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hiroshi-fujiwara/i-m-not-really-an-art-collector-i-m-more-of-a-person-who-picks-up/) [Hiroshi Fujiwara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hiroshi-fujiwara/) > [Art Collector, I think he's a very good horse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-baffert/art-collector-i-think-he-s-a-very-good-horse/) [Bob Baffert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-baffert/) > [I'm like the random guy who you would think I'm a computer freak and you would think that I'm a massive art collector, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pharrell-williams/i-m-like-the-random-guy-who-you-would-think-i-m-a-computer-freak-and/) [Pharrell Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pharrell-williams/) > [My wife was the first art collector in the family, and I didn't become interested until around 1973. The first important artwork we bought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-broad/my-wife-was-the-first-art-collector-in-the-family-and-i-didn-t-become/) [Eli Broad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-broad/) > [In '68 I was 13 years old, so I was a child, but I felt a lot of excitement in listening to things, looking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludovico-einaudi/in-68-i-was-13-years-old-so-i-was-a-child-but-i-felt-a-lot-of/) [Ludovico Einaudi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludovico-einaudi/) > [Art shows and the institutions end up being the couriers for culture for the next generation and are an important component as well. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shepard-fairey/art-shows-and-the-institutions-end-up-being-the-couriers-for-culture/) [Shepard Fairey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shepard-fairey/) > [The educational aspect of art shows has become overbearing: some of exhibits can leave you bleary from trying to read the walls. Presumably a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-updike/the-educational-aspect-of-art-shows-has-become-overbearing-some-of/) [John Updike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-updike/) > [The great thing about doing art shows is you get to meet the people who are interested in your art, and I think that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-stanley/the-great-thing-about-doing-art-shows-is-you-get-to-meet-the-people/) [Paul Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-stanley/) > [I'm most embarrassed at my art shows, even though I don't show it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ai-weiwei/i-m-most-embarrassed-at-my-art-shows-even-though-i-don-t-show-it/) [Ai Weiwei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ai-weiwei/) > [In reality opposites are one; art shows this.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-siegel/in-reality-opposites-are-one-art-shows-this/) [Eli Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-siegel/) > [“Art shows what's inside. And that's scary. Showing my paintings would be like...like cutting my arm open in front of a crowd and showing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-daley/art-shows-what-s-inside-and-that-s-scary-showing-my-paintings-would/) [Christina Daley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-daley/) > [I am the sort of guy who does go to modern art shows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-thewlis/i-am-the-sort-of-guy-who-does-go-to-modern-art-shows/) [David Thewlis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-thewlis/) > [Art shows us how to see things that are constructive and good, and to be an active part of that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerhard-richter/art-shows-us-how-to-see-things-that-are-constructive-and-good-and-to/) [Gerhard Richter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerhard-richter/) > [I remember when I first went to the Baltimore Museum of Art and I bought this little Moreau print in the gift shop. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/i-remember-when-i-first-went-to-the-baltimore-museum-of-art-and-i/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [Pot came first when I was young. But I did the work. It wasn't a battle of what came first. They went together like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/pot-came-first-when-i-was-young-but-i-did-the-work-it-wasn-t-a-battle/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) ## More by John Waters > [There was a cultural war going on, the '60s was going on. All the film critics were square.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/there-was-a-cultural-war-going-on-the-60s-was-going-on-all-the-film/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [I'm here today because of LSD. LSD gave me the confidence to be who I am today. Completely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/i-m-here-today-because-of-lsd-lsd-gave-me-the-confidence-to-be-who-i/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [When I was young, there were bars called the 'Hungry Hole,' and in those same neighbourhoods are now gay people pushing baby carriages.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/when-i-was-young-there-were-bars-called-the-hungry-hole-and-in-those/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [True success is figuring out your life and career so you never have to be around jerks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/true-success-is-figuring-out-your-life-and-career-so-you-never-have/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [Around '62 in Baltimore, all the girls had those big hairdos. And then suddenly, a few of the really hip ones started doing their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/around-62-in-baltimore-all-the-girls-had-those-big-hairdos-and-then/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [“John!?” I ask in shock. This woman recognizes me? It can’t be! “How do you know my name?” I wonder out loud. Suddenly she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/john-i-ask-in-shock-this-woman-recognizes-me-it-can-t-be-how-do-you/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > ['Serial Mom' tested really well when we finally got with the right audience. But they would go to some shopping mall in a deep,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/serial-mom-tested-really-well-when-we-finally-got-with-the-right/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [One Christmas, Dennis Dermody, the movie critic of 'Paper,' gave me 'Rock Hudson: A Gathering of Friends,' the master invitation list from Rock Hudson's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/one-christmas-dennis-dermody-the-movie-critic-of-paper-gave-me-rock/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [Many hundred-million-dollar Hollywood comedies aren't any good. They're trying to shock you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/many-hundred-million-dollar-hollywood-comedies-aren-t-any-good-they/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [The Easter Bunny is a major reason for heroin addiction in America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/the-easter-bunny-is-a-major-reason-for-heroin-addiction-in-america/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [To use bad taste, you have to know the rules of good taste. I've always thanked my mother for that. She taught how to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/to-use-bad-taste-you-have-to-know-the-rules-of-good-taste-i-ve-always/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [I'm an old person because I still buy DVDs. I have every one of my albums and 45s - I even have a couple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/i-m-an-old-person-because-i-still-buy-dvds-i-have-every-one-of-my/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [I do like Christmas. I do understand that there are people who hate it, and there are other religions that resent it. So, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/i-do-like-christmas-i-do-understand-that-there-are-people-who-hate-it/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [I love to read about anger. A "feel bad" book always makes me feel good. And no other novel in the history of literature…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/i-love-to-read-about-anger-a-feel-bad-book-always-makes-me-feel-good/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) > [ Maybe I'll just write books. I'd like to make another movie, but I don't want to go back and \[do\] what they want you… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/maybe-i-ll-just-write-books-i-d-like-to-make-another-movie-but-i-don/) [John Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) [Explore all 381 John Waters quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) Taf Teh > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I've been an art collector since the Sixties, and I kept it very separate from my showbusiness career. I've had art shows since the early Nineties, a museum show that travelled to four countries. I've had three or four art books; it's just another way I have to tell stories.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Waters" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/i-ve-been-an-art-collector-since-the-sixties-and-i-kept-it-very/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Art" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/i-ve-been-an-art-collector-since-the-sixties-and-i-kept-it-very/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cf/john-waters-751_art_i-ve-been-an-art-collector-since-the-six_1945414.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cf/john-waters-751_art_i-ve-been-an-art-collector-since-the-six_1945414.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6cf/john-waters-751_art_i-ve-been-an-art-collector-since-the-six_1945414.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I've been an art collector since the Sixties, and I kept it very separate from my showbusiness career. I've…” — John Waters", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Waters", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-waters/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I've been an art collector since...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/i-ve-been-an-art-collector-since-the-sixties-and-i-kept-it-very/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-waters/i-ve-been-an-art-collector-since-the-sixties-and-i-kept-it-very/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```