Art Quote by Lawrence Weiner
“The art schools seem to be trying to turn people out as "professional." But I don't know what the word "professional" means any longer. "Professional" would be somebody who was trying to push painting to a point that nobody else could do as well as he could. That would be my ideal professional.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Art Critique, 1990s
The term “professional” has become vague; true professionalism means pushing artistic boundaries beyond others’ capabilities.
In simple terms: Professional means mastering and innovating beyond peers.
Key Takeaway
Strive for unique, groundbreaking work.
Themes
art
professionalism
innovation
creativity
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- gallery shows
- art school curricula
- career planning
- self‑assessment
Key Concepts
boundary-pushing
mastery
authenticity
Questions to Reflect On
- What does being a professional mean to you?
- How can you push beyond conventional standards?
A Different Perspective
The market often forces conformity, limiting true innovation.
![“What interested me the most was that when I [traveled to Europe] I knew what Joseph Beuys was doing, he knew what I was doing, and we both, we just started to talk. How did I know what Daniel Buren was doing, and to an extent, he knew exactly what I was doing? How did everybody know? It's an…” quote by Lawrence Weiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/de8/lawrence-weiner-17466_artist_what-interested-me-the-most-was-that-whe_152283.jpg)
