Art Quote by Toni Morrison
““I want to remind us all that art is dangerous. I want to remind you of the history of artists who have been murdered, slaughtered, imprisoned, chopped up, refused entrance. The history of art, whether it's in music or written or what have you, has always been bloody, because dictators and people in office and people who want to control and deceive know exactly the people who will disturb their plans. And those people are artists. They're the ones that sing the truth. And that is something that society has got to protect. But when you enter that field, no matter whether that's Sonia's poetry or Ta-Nehisi's rather startlingly clear prose, it's a dangerous pursuit. Somebody's out to get you. You have to know it before you start, and do it under those circumstances, because it is one of the most important things that human beings do.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on Art and Censorship, 1995
Art confronts power and can be suppressed; creators must be aware of risks but persist because truth-telling is vital.
In simple terms: Art is risky but essential truth‑telling.
Key Takeaway
Create despite danger.
Themes
art
truth
power
risk
freedom
Mood
defiant
reflective
Type
political
inspirational
When to use this quote
- journalism
- visual arts
- literature
- activism
- public discourse
Key Concepts
Censorship
political oppression
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards protect artists?
- How does risk shape artistic impact?
A Different Perspective
Danger can stifle expression.
