--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm not a documentarian. I'm not a…" description: "\"I'm not a documentarian. I'm not a photojournalist.\" — Wangechi Mutu" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32e/wangechi-mutu-11352_photography_i-m-not-a-documentarian-i-m-not-a-photoj_2735357.jpg" --- # I'm not a documentarian. I'm not a photojournalist. ![“I'm not a documentarian. I'm not a photojournalist.” quote by Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32e/wangechi-mutu-11352_photography_i-m-not-a-documentarian-i-m-not-a-photoj_2735357.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32e/wangechi-mutu-11352_photography_i-m-not-a-documentarian-i-m-not-a-photoj_2735357.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/32e/wangechi-mutu-11352_photography_i-m-not-a-documentarian-i-m-not-a-photoj_2735357.jpg) > “I'm not a documentarian. I'm not a photojournalist.” [Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker distinguishes herself from documentary and photojournalism, implying a different artistic intent. **In simple terms:** Not a documentarian or photojournalist. Key Takeaway Define and pursue a unique creative voice. Themes identity artistic intent genre boundaries self‑definition Mood reflective assertive creative Type art identity When to use this quote - exhibition planning - artist statements - media critique - creative workshops - public talks Key Concepts contemporary art visual culture authorial voice Questions to Reflect On - What defines your artistic practice? - How do you navigate genre expectations? A Different Perspective May limit audience expectations if not clarified. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Photography](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photography/) ## Related quotes > [My job is very simply that of a photojournalist. I want to stop people's eye on the page, I want to move the viewer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antony-armstrong-jones/my-job-is-very-simply-that-of-a-photojournalist-i-want-to-stop-people/) [Antony Armstrong-Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antony-armstrong-jones/) > [Unfortunately, conflicts have always been there and they don't seem to be stopping. 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I often feel I would like to be an artist in an ivory tower. Yet it is imperative that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-eugene-smith/i-am-an-idealist-i-often-feel-i-would-like-to-be-an-artist-in-an/) [W. Eugene Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-eugene-smith/) > [If I wasn't a comic or TV star, I really wanted to be a photojournalist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-carey/if-i-wasn-t-a-comic-or-tv-star-i-really-wanted-to-be-a-photojournalist/) [Drew Carey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-carey/) ## More by Wangechi Mutu > [We became Homo sapiens not that long ago, from the scientific perspective, and we've retained a lot of our beast nature. We've done all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/we-became-homo-sapiens-not-that-long-ago-from-the-scientific/) [Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) > [We have to redefine what we mean when we say, 'Who are your people?' 'Where are you from?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/we-have-to-redefine-what-we-mean-when-we-say-who-are-your-people/) [Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) > [I keep things moving along with a seriously loving, caring, and brilliant man, a fierce group of friends - and really strong coffee.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/i-keep-things-moving-along-with-a-seriously-loving-caring-and/) [Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) > [I've always been curious about the things that I'm afraid to look at, that make me embarrassed or bother me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/i-ve-always-been-curious-about-the-things-that-i-m-afraid-to-look-at/) [Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) > [I feel that art is beyond language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/i-feel-that-art-is-beyond-language/) [Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) > [A lot of my work reflects the incredible influence that America has had on contemporary African culture. 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They eat because you grow the food.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wangechi-mutu/always-acknowledge-your-position-in-the-food-chain-they-eat-because/) [Wangechi Mutu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wangechi-mutu/) > [I have this amateur side attraction to, and interest in, the sciences and biology and physics and evolution. 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Danforth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-m-danforth/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I have a way to photograph. You work with space, you have a camera, you have a frame, and then a fraction of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastiao-salgado/i-have-a-way-to-photograph-you-work-with-space-you-have-a-camera-you/) [Sebastiao Salgado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastiao-salgado/) > [“But any picture could deal with the problem of light. 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