--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What's important about the artists we…" description: "\"What's important about the artists we learn about in art history and see in all the art books is that they have somehow pushed the boundaries of what p..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/603/kadir-nelson-41157_art_what-s-important-about-the-artists-we-le_1030482.jpg" --- # What's important about the artists we learn about in art… ![“What's important about the artists we learn about in art history and see in all the art books is that they have somehow pushed the boundaries of what people think art is or should be, and that's how they've made their work relevant. That's what I'm trying to figure out for myself.” quote by Kadir Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/603/kadir-nelson-41157_art_what-s-important-about-the-artists-we-le_1030482.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/603/kadir-nelson-41157_art_what-s-important-about-the-artists-we-le_1030482.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/603/kadir-nelson-41157_art_what-s-important-about-the-artists-we-le_1030482.jpg) > “What's important about the artists we learn about in art history and see in all the art books is that they have somehow pushed the boundaries of what people think art is or should be, and that's how they've made their work relevant. That's what I'm trying to figure out for myself.” [Kadir Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kadir-nelson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Artists become relevant by challenging prevailing definitions of art, expanding its possibilities and influencing culture. **In simple terms:** Artists stay relevant by pushing art boundaries. Key Takeaway Question how you can challenge norms. Themes creativity innovation culture Mood inspired curious Type analytical inspirational When to use this quote - curating exhibitions - art education - personal artistic practice Key Concepts Aesthetic theory cultural impact Questions to Reflect On - What conventions will you question? - How can you balance tradition and innovation? A Different Perspective Pushing boundaries can alienate traditional audiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Art history](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-history/) [Art is](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-is/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Artists Learn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artists-learn-2108663/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Boundaries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boundaries/) [Figures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/figures/) [History Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history-art/) [Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important/) [Important Artists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important-artists-1293199/) [Made](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/made/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Relevant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relevant/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Think Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-art/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [What 's important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/what-s-important/) ## Related quotes > [When you look at the paintings at Chauvet Cave, they're not primitive or like children's little scribbles, it bursts on the scene fully accomplished…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-herzog/when-you-look-at-the-paintings-at-chauvet-cave-they-re-not-primitive/) [Werner Herzog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-herzog/) > [The history of an art is the history of masterwork, not of failures, or mediocrity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-pound/the-history-of-an-art-is-the-history-of-masterwork-not-of-failures-or/) [Ezra Pound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-pound/) > [I always enjoyed art history because, growing up in California, my exposure was limited, and it was a new experience. To learn the history…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-ritts/i-always-enjoyed-art-history-because-growing-up-in-california-my/) [Herb Ritts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-ritts/) > [Art history is fine. I mean, that's a discipline. Art history is art history, and you start from the beginning and you end up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-weiner/art-history-is-fine-i-mean-that-s-a-discipline-art-history-is-art/) [Lawrence Weiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-weiner/) > [I like art history and art criticism. Leo Steinberg has always been my favorite. Hes very original, very accurate and acute.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-vendler/i-like-art-history-and-art-criticism-leo-steinberg-has-always-been-my-2/) [Helen Vendler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-vendler/) > [The history of art is the history of revivals.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-butler/the-history-of-art-is-the-history-of-revivals/) [Samuel Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-butler/) > [“Artists have to learn how to paint what's in the mirror, even if what they see is a total shit show.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-david-hutchinson/artists-have-to-learn-how-to-paint-what-s-in-the-mirror-even-if-what/) [Shaun David Hutchinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-david-hutchinson/) > [“There is no ready vocabulary to describe the ways in which artists become artists, no recognition that artists must learn to be who they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bayles/there-is-no-ready-vocabulary-to-describe-the-ways-in-which-artists/) [David Bayles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bayles/) > [The goal is just to try to get better and better, and the only way that makes sense to do that is to work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-bernthal/the-goal-is-just-to-try-to-get-better-and-better-and-the-only-way/) [Jon Bernthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-bernthal/) > [So with the young African artists. What they have to learn from tribal art is not how to copy the traditional forms, but the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-moore/so-with-the-young-african-artists-what-they-have-to-learn-from-tribal/) [Henry Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-moore/) > [I've tried to learn as much as I can about the great jazz singers to understand what makes them important, vital artists, but there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-elling/i-ve-tried-to-learn-as-much-as-i-can-about-the-great-jazz-singers-to/) [Kurt Elling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-elling/) > [I encourage young artists to learn the business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jadakiss/i-encourage-young-artists-to-learn-the-business/) [Jadakiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jadakiss/) > [As artists, we must learn to be self-nourishing. We must become alert enough to consciously replenish our creative resources as we draw on them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-cameron/as-artists-we-must-learn-to-be-self-nourishing-we-must-become-alert/) [Julia Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-cameron/) > [I think it's important for artists to work together. It's great for fans to see, like, Ludacris came out to our show in Atlanta…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-aldean/i-think-it-s-important-for-artists-to-work-together-it-s-great-for/) [Jason Aldean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-aldean/) > [At one point cinema and photography weren't treated as art. Now it's crazy to think they're not. The key question is "What is art…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ferran-adria/at-one-point-cinema-and-photography-weren-t-treated-as-art-now-it-s/) [Ferran Adria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ferran-adria/) ## More by Kadir Nelson > [Be present in your work because kids live in the moment, so as soon as you're not in the present, you're not being authentic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kadir-nelson/be-present-in-your-work-because-kids-live-in-the-moment-so-as-soon-as/) [Kadir Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kadir-nelson/) > [For me, each book is kind of like a silent film. If you were to remove the words and just look at the pictures,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kadir-nelson/for-me-each-book-is-kind-of-like-a-silent-film-if-you-were-to-remove/) [Kadir Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kadir-nelson/) > [My uncle, who's an art teacher, took me under his wing and gave me a really strong foundation in art. I spent summers with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kadir-nelson/my-uncle-who-s-an-art-teacher-took-me-under-his-wing-and-gave-me-a/) [Kadir Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kadir-nelson/) > [I'm an artist by trade and an author by necessity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kadir-nelson/i-m-an-artist-by-trade-and-an-author-by-necessity/) [Kadir Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kadir-nelson/) > [As a kid, I drew cartoon characters and comic book heroes. Spiderman and the X-Men were my favorites.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kadir-nelson/as-a-kid-i-drew-cartoon-characters-and-comic-book-heroes-spiderman/) [Kadir Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kadir-nelson/) > [When I look at American history and I look at what history means to me, I look at it as if it were a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kadir-nelson/when-i-look-at-american-history-and-i-look-at-what-history-means-to/) [Kadir Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kadir-nelson/) > [My purpose is to create a mirror for the reader to see themselves, to create a light for people to see themselves in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kadir-nelson/my-purpose-is-to-create-a-mirror-for-the-reader-to-see-themselves-to/) [Kadir Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kadir-nelson/) > [Much of the message that I try to put across to students is that they have to figure out what they really like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kadir-nelson/much-of-the-message-that-i-try-to-put-across-to-students-is-that-they/) [Kadir Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kadir-nelson/) > [I think it's important to have confidence, but then it's also important to try to try something new, to leave your comfort zone to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kadir-nelson/i-think-it-s-important-to-have-confidence-but-then-it-s-also/) [Kadir Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kadir-nelson/) [Explore all 10 Kadir Nelson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kadir-nelson/) ## 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. 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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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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": "What's important about the artists we learn about in art history and see in all the art books is that they have somehow pushed the boundaries of what people think art is or should be, and that's how they've made their work relevant. 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