Art Quote by Robert Olen Butler
“The great Japanese film director Akira Kurosawa said that to be an artist means never to avert your eyes. And that's the hardest thing, because we want to flinch. The artist must go into the white hot center of himself, and our impulse when we get there is to look away and avert our eyes.”
About This Quote
Source Film: Interview with Akira Kurosawa, 1970
An artist must confront uncomfortable truths within, despite the instinct to look away.
In simple terms: Artists must face inner truth despite fear.
Key Takeaway
Embrace discomfort to create authentic art.
Themes
art
courage
self‑confrontation
Mood
intense
reflective
Type
inspirational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- painting
- writing
- performance
- therapy
Key Concepts
existential honesty
creative risk
Questions to Reflect On
- What truth are you avoiding?
- How can discomfort fuel your creativity?
A Different Perspective
Avoiding truth leads to shallow work.
