Art Quote by Nan Goldin
“A lot of people seem to think that art or photography is about the way things look, or the surface of things. That's not what it's about for me. It's really about relationships and feelings...it's really hard for me to do commercial work because people kind of want me to do a Nan Goldin. They don't understand that it's not about a style or a look or a setup. It's about emotional obsession and empathy.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Art magazine feature, 2015, Nan Goldin
Her photography focuses on emotional connections and empathy, rejecting commercial expectations for stylistic conformity.
In simple terms: She values feeling over visual style.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize authentic emotional expression in creative work.
Themes
art
photography
empathy
authenticity
commercial pressure
Mood
thoughtful
introspective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- Personal portrait projects
- Therapeutic art practice
- Community storytelling
Key Concepts
emotional obsession
relationship building
artistic integrity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can artists balance authenticity with livelihood?
- What role does empathy play in visual storytelling?
A Different Perspective
Commercial markets may limit artistic freedom.
![“I was recently interviewed for radio in relation to the "Thanksgiving" show [2001] at the Saatchi gallery that I was part of. The interviewer said that people in London were very disturbed that I showed a picture of myself battered ("Nan One Month after Being Battered", 1984) and they thought that…” quote by Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6d1/nan-goldin-6289_accused_i-was-recently-interviewed-for-radio-in_896865.jpg)
![“Some people have become [in U.S] a lot more conservative but I can't really speak about that because I wasn't there. I feel compassion for their pain but it distresses me to see them all become more patriotic.” quote by Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4a5/nan-goldin-6289_compassion_some-people-have-become-in-u-s-a-lot-mor_290764.jpg)
![“I know somewhat about Kate [Moss who featured in the Vogue spread]. I always thought that Kate's look had come from my old friend Siobhan Liddell and some of her friends because they dressed like that about ten years ago. Unconsciously, and right after that, that whole look sort of came out.” quote by Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/46c/nan-goldin-6289_kate_i-know-somewhat-about-kate-moss-who-feat_349473.jpg)
