Artist Quote by Margaret Atwood
““His drawings were not originals then, only copies. He must have been doing them as a sort of retirement hobby, he was an incurable amateur and enthusiast; if he'd become hooked (on these rock paintings) he would have combed the area for them, collecting them with his camera, pestering experts by letter whenever he found one; an old man's delusion of usefulness.””
About This Quote
The speaker critiques an amateur's obsessive collecting of rock art, suggesting his work lacks originality and is driven by a self‑delusional need to feel useful in retirement.
In simple terms: Obsessive hobbyism masquerading as contribution.
Key Takeaway
Collecting for validation, not creation.
Themes
authorship
obsession
age
art criticism
delusion
originality
Mood
ironic
skeptical
reflective
Type
critical
observational
When to use this quote
- retirement pastime
- amateur archaeology
- personal archive building
- expert correspondence
- self‑justified fieldwork
Key Concepts
creative authenticity
collector mindset
seniority
validation
self‑image
Practical Applications
- museum curation
- heritage documentation
Questions to Reflect On
- Does the value of preservation outweigh the collector’s ego?
- How does age influence one’s perception of contribution?
A Different Perspective
The collector may genuinely preserve endangered sites, providing valuable data despite personal motives.
