--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I really don't want to produce artwork…" description: "\"I really don't want to produce artwork that does not have meaning beyond simple decorative values. I want to use public space to create a public voice,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a2/judy-baca-78744_artist_i-really-don-t-want-to-produce-artwork-t_3223382.jpg" --- # I really don't want to produce artwork that does not have… ![“I really don't want to produce artwork that does not have meaning beyond simple decorative values. I want to use public space to create a public voice, and a public consciousness about the presence of people who are, in fact, the majority of the population but who are not represented in any visual…” quote by Judy Baca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a2/judy-baca-78744_artist_i-really-don-t-want-to-produce-artwork-t_3223382.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a2/judy-baca-78744_artist_i-really-don-t-want-to-produce-artwork-t_3223382.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a2/judy-baca-78744_artist_i-really-don-t-want-to-produce-artwork-t_3223382.jpg) > “I really don't want to produce artwork that does not have meaning beyond simple decorative values. I want to use public space to create a public voice, and a public consciousness about the presence of people who are, in fact, the majority of the population but who are not represented in any visual way. By telling their stories we are giving voice to the voiceless and visualizing the whole of the American story.” [Judy Baca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-baca/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Advocates creating meaningful public art that gives voice to underrepresented groups, shaping collective consciousness. **In simple terms:** Use art to tell stories of the unseen. Key Takeaway Create inclusive, purpose‑driven public works. Themes representation public art social justice voice collective memory Mood determined empathetic activist Type inspirational social When to use this quote - urban murals - exhibitions - community workshops - educational programs - policy advocacy Key Concepts visual storytelling community empowerment cultural inclusion Questions to Reflect On - Who is left out when we claim to represent everyone? - How can art balance beauty and purpose? A Different Perspective Risk of aesthetic compromise for message. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Artwork](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artwork/) [Artwork Does](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artwork-does-2827695/) [Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciousness/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Giving voice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving-voice/) [Majority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/majority/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Population](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/population/) [Produce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/produce/) [Public Consciousness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-consciousness-1321682/) [Public Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-space/) [Public Voice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-voice-910769/) [Simple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simple/) [Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) [Visualizing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/visualizing/) [Visualizing American](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/visualizing-american-6069267/) [Visuals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/visuals/) [Voice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voice/) [Voiceless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/voiceless/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Whole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whole/) ## Related quotes > [My dad and I collaborate on the artwork. He does all of the design and layout. He uses my sketches and drawings or weird…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherri-dupree/my-dad-and-i-collaborate-on-the-artwork-he-does-all-of-the-design-and/) [Sherri DuPree](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherri-dupree/) > [I'm going to save my public voice largely for the issues where I have some depth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/i-m-going-to-save-my-public-voice-largely-for-the-issues-where-i-have/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [People who have achieved a public voice find it a mixed bag.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-wales/people-who-have-achieved-a-public-voice-find-it-a-mixed-bag/) [Jimmy Wales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-wales/) > [The public voice in the theater today is crude and raucous, and, all too often, weak-minded.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-sontag/the-public-voice-in-the-theater-today-is-crude-and-raucous-and-all/) [Susan Sontag](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-sontag/) > [It may well happen that the public voice, pronounced by the representatives of the people, will be more constant to the public good than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/it-may-well-happen-that-the-public-voice-pronounced-by-the/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [Congress becomes the public voice of opposition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-dallek/congress-becomes-the-public-voice-of-opposition/) [Robert Dallek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-dallek/) > [The only legitimate interpretation of the concept of the "public" is that it's a highly heterogeneous group of people, and I cannot imagine who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wang-jianwei/the-only-legitimate-interpretation-of-the-concept-of-the-public-is/) [Wang Jianwei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wang-jianwei/) > [“When a man gets into his head an idea that the public voice calls for him, it is astonishing how great becomes his trust…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-trollope/when-a-man-gets-into-his-head-an-idea-that-the-public-voice-calls-for/) [Anthony Trollope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-trollope/) > [The Internet offers endangered languages a chance to have a public voice in a way that would not have been possible before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-crystal/the-internet-offers-endangered-languages-a-chance-to-have-a-public/) [David Crystal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-crystal/) > [After the Cold War, a nuclear-free world appeared to be within reach. However, the lack of a collective sense of ownership allowed the issue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fumio-kishida/after-the-cold-war-a-nuclear-free-world-appeared-to-be-within-reach/) [Fumio Kishida](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fumio-kishida/) > [Our courts' decisions do not permeate the public consciousness - we have no equivalent of the Brown v Board of Education ruling which outlawed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-thornberry/our-courts-decisions-do-not-permeate-the-public-consciousness-we-have/) [Emily Thornberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-thornberry/) > [“What is seen by mind, is an environmental image that projected by public consciousness in vicinity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/what-is-seen-by-mind-is-an-environmental-image-that-projected-by/) [Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/) > [By giving unusual people an easy way to find one another, the Internet has also enabled them to pool rare talents, resources, and voices,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-postrel/by-giving-unusual-people-an-easy-way-to-find-one-another-the-internet/) [Virginia Postrel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-postrel/) > [“When a lie has been embedded in the public consciousness, the truth has a difficult time making itself known.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bethany-l-brand/when-a-lie-has-been-embedded-in-the-public-consciousness-the-truth/) [Bethany L. Brand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bethany-l-brand/) > [When you have the chance to present yourself vocally, you realize a kind of brand develops around that vocal, and you start to see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-groban/when-you-have-the-chance-to-present-yourself-vocally-you-realize-a/) [Josh Groban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-groban/) ## More by Judy Baca > [Who is the public now that it has changed color?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-baca/who-is-the-public-now-that-it-has-changed-color/) [Judy Baca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-baca/) > [Break the mold! Have the biggest vision you can! If you can't dream it, it cannot occur!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-baca/break-the-mold-have-the-biggest-vision-you-can-if-you-can-t-dream-it/) [Judy Baca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-baca/) [Explore all 3 Judy Baca quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-baca/) ## More Artist quotes > [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [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/) > [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/) > [“People in coats and ties were milling around the Talley gallery, and on the wall were the minimally rendered still lifes by Giorgio Morandi,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/people-in-coats-and-ties-were-milling-around-the-talley-gallery-and/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [The prophet who fails to present a bearable alternative and yet preaches doom is part of the trap that he postulates. Not only does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-prophet-who-fails-to-present-a-bearable-alternative-and-yet/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [“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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taf-teh/) > [From as long as I can remember, I was always fond of drawing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-lucia/from-as-long-as-i-can-remember-i-was-always-fond-of-drawing/) [St. Lucia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-lucia/) > [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 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/) > [Designers shouldn’t design for museums any more than mummies should die for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-caplan/designers-shouldn-t-design-for-museums-any-more-than-mummies-should/) [Ralph Caplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-caplan/) > [I don't believe in competitions between artists. This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/) [Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/) > [I am not the avant-garde. I am the artist who comes after the advancing guard. I am more concerned with continuity of ideas and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-oliveira/i-am-not-the-avant-garde-i-am-the-artist-who-comes-after-the/) [Nathan Oliveira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-oliveira/) > [I am a horrible visual artist. I can't fix a car, sew, knit, cook, etc. Statistically, there is more I don't do than do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-brownstein/i-am-a-horrible-visual-artist-i-can-t-fix-a-car-sew-knit-cook-etc/) [Carrie Brownstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-brownstein/) [Browse all 32,600 Artist quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I really don't want to produce artwork that does not have meaning beyond simple decorative values. I want to use public space to create a public voice, and a public consciousness about the presence of people who are, in fact, the majority of the population but who are not represented in any visual way. 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