--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Problems arise only when an artist…" description: "\"Problems arise only when an artist chooses to be above the art. Not otherwise.\" — Shobana" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/106/shobana-5342_art_problems-arise-only-when-an-artist-choos_660685.jpg" --- # Problems arise only when an artist chooses to be above the… ![“Problems arise only when an artist chooses to be above the art. Not otherwise.” quote by Shobana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/106/shobana-5342_art_problems-arise-only-when-an-artist-choos_660685.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/106/shobana-5342_art_problems-arise-only-when-an-artist-choos_660685.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/106/shobana-5342_art_problems-arise-only-when-an-artist-choos_660685.jpg) > “Problems arise only when an artist chooses to be above the art. Not otherwise.” [Shobana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shobana/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When creators prioritize status over their craft, they lose authenticity and purpose. **In simple terms:** Art loses meaning if the artist seeks superiority. Key Takeaway Focus on the work, not ego. Themes authenticity creativity ego artistic integrity Mood reflective critical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career development - artistic collaboration - public performance - teaching Key Concepts self‑concept valuation identity expression Questions to Reflect On - How does ego affect your creative process? - What does “above the art” mean to you? A Different Perspective The quote may overlook practical needs of making a living. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Problems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problems/) ## Related quotes > [“...for all art is one, as Kipling has written, and your art chooses you, not you the art.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-powell/for-all-art-is-one-as-kipling-has-written-and-your-art-chooses-you/) Michael Powell > [The first choice an artist makes is precisely to be an artist, and if he chooses to be an artist it is in consideration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/the-first-choice-an-artist-makes-is-precisely-to-be-an-artist-and-if/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [The artist who chooses the difficult muse; or only has a difficult muse; should not be surprised with the results.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver/the-artist-who-chooses-the-difficult-muse-or-only-has-a-difficult/) Oliver $ > [The average artist, if he chooses, could render an exact drawing of what he sees. Artistic work not only allows but demands some deviation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-alwin-payne/the-average-artist-if-he-chooses-could-render-an-exact-drawing-of/) [Edgar Alwin Payne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-alwin-payne/) > [An artist chooses his subjects: that is the way he praises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/an-artist-chooses-his-subjects-that-is-the-way-he-praises/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [As companies move to web-based computing they get a lot more servers, which are difficult to manage and control. All kinds of problems can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-horowitz/as-companies-move-to-web-based-computing-they-get-a-lot-more-servers/) [Ben Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-horowitz/) > [Whatever problems arise in a romantic relationship, its important to face them together as a couple. If an aspect of the relationship stops working,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-nwakama/whatever-problems-arise-in-a-romantic-relationship-its-important-to/) [Anne Nwakama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-nwakama/) > [“Problems arise only if we respond to difficulties with a negative state of mind. Therefore, if we want to be free from problems, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelsang-gyatso/problems-arise-only-if-we-respond-to-difficulties-with-a-negative/) [Kelsang Gyatso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelsang-gyatso/) > [When the results are good, everything seems prettier; when things go bad, it seems like all conflicts, personal disputes, and problems arise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xabi-alonso/when-the-results-are-good-everything-seems-prettier-when-things-go/) [Xabi Alonso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xabi-alonso/) > [Our stresses, anxieties, pains, and problems arise because we do not see the world, others, or even ourselves as worthy of love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prem-prakash/our-stresses-anxieties-pains-and-problems-arise-because-we-do-not-see/) [Prem Prakash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prem-prakash/) > [“The social problems that arise, arise from the facts, not our investigation of these facts.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-eysenck/the-social-problems-that-arise-arise-from-the-facts-not-our/) [Hans Eysenck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-eysenck/) > [It is a law of life that problems arise when conditions are there for their solution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-sisulu/it-is-a-law-of-life-that-problems-arise-when-conditions-are-there-for/) Walter Sisulu > [If anything happens to me, I hope that I would've raised my children in a way that they know how to take care of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-roy/if-anything-happens-to-me-i-hope-that-i-would-ve-raised-my-children/) [Rachel Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-roy/) > [“When our feelings and observations contradict, problems arise.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-h-rakib/when-our-feelings-and-observations-contradict-problems-arise/) [M.H. Rakib](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-h-rakib/) > [“Few better ways exist to ensure problems will arise in a given task than by making plans for afterward.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-r-lallo/few-better-ways-exist-to-ensure-problems-will-arise-in-a-given-task/) [Joseph R. Lallo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-r-lallo/) ## More by Shobana > [For 20 years, I've been running an institute in Chennai where serious dancers from Kerala come with aspirations of becoming professional dancers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shobana/for-20-years-i-ve-been-running-an-institute-in-chennai-where-serious/) [Shobana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shobana/) > [I have generally loved performing in Pune and in Maharashtra. I find the audience here fun-loving, erudite and honest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shobana/i-have-generally-loved-performing-in-pune-and-in-maharashtra-i-find/) [Shobana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shobana/) > [I have trained for 30 years in Indian classical dance and there is nothing more beautiful in my eyes than stepping out of the box.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shobana/i-have-trained-for-30-years-in-indian-classical-dance-and-there-is/) [Shobana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shobana/) > [I unwind by watching TV, which is also how I wind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shobana/i-unwind-by-watching-tv-which-is-also-how-i-wind/) [Shobana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shobana/) > [I write scripts, I read scripts, I meet people who chat about their scripts. So honestly, I don't feel bad if I don't act…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shobana/i-write-scripts-i-read-scripts-i-meet-people-who-chat-about-their/) [Shobana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shobana/) > [Personally, I don't believe in International Women's Day. After all, there's no International Men's Day that we celebrate. These are just titles like Happy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shobana/personally-i-don-t-believe-in-international-women-s-day-after-all/) [Shobana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shobana/) > [Art has the power to bring people together - in communion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shobana/art-has-the-power-to-bring-people-together-in-communion/) [Shobana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shobana/) > [Wearing heavy jewelry and make-up is a part and parcel of Indian films.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shobana/wearing-heavy-jewelry-and-make-up-is-a-part-and-parcel-of-indian-films/) [Shobana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shobana/) > [There are only a few stories of Krishna that are popular. His exploits with the gopikas, for example. But not many understand the spiritual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shobana/there-are-only-a-few-stories-of-krishna-that-are-popular-his-exploits/) [Shobana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shobana/) > [As a story teller I have always been fascinated with our legends, these can be re-told time and time again. And there is always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shobana/as-a-story-teller-i-have-always-been-fascinated-with-our-legends/) [Shobana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shobana/) > [I always refer to Bharatanatyam as the 'now prevalent form of Bharatanatyam' in my interviews. The style changes from generation to generation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shobana/i-always-refer-to-bharatanatyam-as-the-now-prevalent-form-of/) [Shobana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shobana/) > [There are no hard and fast rules. Your sensibilities change as you grow older.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shobana/there-are-no-hard-and-fast-rules-your-sensibilities-change-as-you/) [Shobana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shobana/) > [I don't miss the world of movies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shobana/i-don-t-miss-the-world-of-movies/) [Shobana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shobana/) > [I do get film offers, but if they are dance teacher kind of roles, I don't take them up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shobana/i-do-get-film-offers-but-if-they-are-dance-teacher-kind-of-roles-i/) [Shobana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shobana/) > [I have been dancing from the age of three.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shobana/i-have-been-dancing-from-the-age-of-three/) [Shobana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shobana/) [Explore all 101 Shobana quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shobana/) ## 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. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. 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 > [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": "Problems arise only when an artist chooses to be above the art. 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