--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The art world was not initially really…" description: "\"The art world was not initially really accepting my kind of work. I was ahead of my time.\" — Yoko Ono" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7eb/yoko-ono-726_accepting_the-art-world-was-not-initially-really-a_591459.png" --- # The art world was not initially really accepting my kind… ![“The art world was not initially really accepting my kind of work. I was ahead of my time.” quote by Yoko Ono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7eb/yoko-ono-726_accepting_the-art-world-was-not-initially-really-a_591459.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7eb/yoko-ono-726_accepting_the-art-world-was-not-initially-really-a_591459.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7eb/yoko-ono-726_accepting_the-art-world-was-not-initially-really-a_591459.png) > “The art world was not initially really accepting my kind of work. I was ahead of my time.” [Yoko Ono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoko-ono/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She felt her avant‑garde work was rejected because it was ahead of its era. **In simple terms:** Her art was misunderstood at first. Key Takeaway Embrace innovation despite misunderstanding. Themes art innovation acceptance legacy Mood frustrated hopeful Type reflective inspirational When to use this quote - gallery shows - art school curricula - public talks - curatorial decisions Key Concepts avant‑garde cultural lag artist identity Questions to Reflect On - How do you stay true when misunderstood? - What can help others see value in the unfamiliar? A Different Perspective Future audiences may still resist new ideas. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accepting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accepting/) [Ahead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ahead/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Art world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-world/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Initially](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/initially/) [Initially Really](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/initially-really-4839812/) [Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind/) [My time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/my-time/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work/) [Work Ahead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-ahead-657054/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [World Initially](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-initially-4839811/) ## Related quotes > [I never thought, "I'm going to be an artist". When I actually began to become successful in the art world I made it a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoko-ono/i-never-thought-i-m-going-to-be-an-artist-when-i-actually-began-to/) [Yoko Ono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoko-ono/) > [I just try to let myself really focus on the work that's ahead of me and what my job is and how I bring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zachary-quinto/i-just-try-to-let-myself-really-focus-on-the-work-that-s-ahead-of-me/) [Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zachary-quinto/) > [If I'm going on vacation, I just work ahead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mort-walker/if-i-m-going-on-vacation-i-just-work-ahead/) [Mort Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mort-walker/) > [As a team, we have a lot of work ahead of us in FY16 and beyond, but I am confident that, working together, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-kevin-turner/as-a-team-we-have-a-lot-of-work-ahead-of-us-in-fy16-and-beyond-but-i/) [B. Kevin Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-kevin-turner/) > [I just tell myself to focus on the technique, focus on the work ahead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hidilyn-diaz/i-just-tell-myself-to-focus-on-the-technique-focus-on-the-work-ahead/) [Hidilyn Diaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hidilyn-diaz/) > [Animal abuse is still widespread and we have so much work ahead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-pacelle/animal-abuse-is-still-widespread-and-we-have-so-much-work-ahead/) [Wayne Pacelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-pacelle/) > [We still have tremendous work ahead of us to ensure that women have equal opportunities in the workplace and in our society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blanche-lincoln/we-still-have-tremendous-work-ahead-of-us-to-ensure-that-women-have/) [Blanche Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blanche-lincoln/) > [All I am hoping for is to be able to work-I think my best work is still ahead of me-I think all that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mickey-rourke/all-i-am-hoping-for-is-to-be-able-to-work-i-think-my-best-work-is/) [Mickey Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickey-rourke/) > [We have much work ahead, to stand still.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/said-musa/we-have-much-work-ahead-to-stand-still/) [Said Musa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/said-musa/) > [Freedom is not free, and we all have a lot of work ahead of us. And I perform the ultimate soundtrack to get the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nugent/freedom-is-not-free-and-we-all-have-a-lot-of-work-ahead-of-us-and-i/) [Ted Nugent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nugent/) > [We have great work ahead of us, and it needs devotion and much, much energy. To grow, to discover, we need involvement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/we-have-great-work-ahead-of-us-and-it-needs-devotion-and-much-much/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [I'm not sure if every song will be 'Take Me to Church,' but I can only hope that people enjoy the body of work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hozier/i-m-not-sure-if-every-song-will-be-take-me-to-church-but-i-can-only/) [Hozier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hozier/) > [There's a lot of trust being built up. I think we have a lot of work ahead of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-s-a-lot-of-trust-being-built-up-i-think-we-have-a-lot-of-work/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The work ahead will be hard. These times demand the best of us - all of us, but we can do this. Together, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/the-work-ahead-will-be-hard-these-times-demand-the-best-of-us-all-of/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [This nation has been through hard times. But those hard times have hardened our resolve. I'm ready to do the difficult work ahead. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-reid/this-nation-has-been-through-hard-times-but-those-hard-times-have/) [Harry Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-reid/) ## More by Yoko Ono > [Our public officials have forgotten that they are ultimately accountable to the people who put them in office, that the information they keep in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoko-ono/our-public-officials-have-forgotten-that-they-are-ultimately/) [Yoko Ono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoko-ono/) > [Smile in the mirror. Do that every morning and you'll start to see a big difference in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoko-ono/smile-in-the-mirror-do-that-every-morning-and-you-ll-start-to-see-a/) [Yoko Ono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoko-ono/) > [Think of the Earth as a turning point in eternity. Think of the Earth as a meeting point in infinity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoko-ono/think-of-the-earth-as-a-turning-point-in-eternity-think-of-the-earth/) [Yoko Ono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoko-ono/) > [If your life changes, we can change the world, too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoko-ono/if-your-life-changes-we-can-change-the-world-too/) [Yoko Ono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoko-ono/) > [ When people get cynical about love, they should look at us \[Yoko and John Lennon\] and see it is possible ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoko-ono/when-people-get-cynical-about-love-they-should-look-at-us-yoko-and/) [Yoko Ono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoko-ono/) > [True artists are prophets. I don't want to be that prophetic in that sense because it's so lonely.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoko-ono/true-artists-are-prophets-i-don-t-want-to-be-that-prophetic-in-that/) [Yoko Ono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoko-ono/) > [The first idea, the first art piece I ever did, was when I was four. I cut the seed of a pear in half…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoko-ono/the-first-idea-the-first-art-piece-i-ever-did-was-when-i-was-four-i/) [Yoko Ono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoko-ono/) > [John wrote with a very deep love for the human race and a concern for its future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoko-ono/john-wrote-with-a-very-deep-love-for-the-human-race-and-a-concern-for/) [Yoko Ono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoko-ono/) > [I always believed that my work should be unfinished in the sense that I encourage people to add their creativity to it, either conceptually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoko-ono/i-always-believed-that-my-work-should-be-unfinished-in-the-sense-that/) [Yoko Ono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoko-ono/) > [Losing my daughter was a very serious pain. There was always some empty space in my heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoko-ono/losing-my-daughter-was-a-very-serious-pain-there-was-always-some/) [Yoko Ono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoko-ono/) > [People don't remember each tree in a park but all of us benefit from the trees. And in a way, artists are like trees…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoko-ono/people-don-t-remember-each-tree-in-a-park-but-all-of-us-benefit-from/) [Yoko Ono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoko-ono/) > [Marriage is a gamble, let's be honest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoko-ono/marriage-is-a-gamble-let-s-be-honest/) [Yoko Ono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoko-ono/) > [It's difficult to explain love. You want to explain water? You need a book for it. There are many different ways to explain what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoko-ono/it-s-difficult-to-explain-love-you-want-to-explain-water-you-need-a/) [Yoko Ono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoko-ono/) > [Being alone is very difficult.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoko-ono/being-alone-is-very-difficult/) [Yoko Ono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoko-ono/) > [Many people do remember their births, but they deny it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoko-ono/many-people-do-remember-their-births-but-they-deny-it/) [Yoko Ono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoko-ono/) [Explore all 391 Yoko Ono quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoko-ono/) ## More Accepting quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [Laughing, laughing, laughing, laughing! It is the jester! A voice from the Void, to cheer poor Cicero! I accept your gift, dearest Night Mother.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/laughing-laughing-laughing-laughing-it-is-the-jester-a-voice-from-the/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [This duo inside of me causes the perfect opportunity to live and learn twice as fast as those who choose to accept simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/this-duo-inside-of-me-causes-the-perfect-opportunity-to-live-and/) [Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [Don't be bitter. Everybody suffers. If you can accept your suffering then you will understand other people better. Be grateful for pain. Love life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/don-t-be-bitter-everybody-suffers-if-you-can-accept-your-suffering/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [It takes an unusually philosophic mind to accept that all one’s suffering might be to no end, really, in the larger scheme of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-takes-an-unusually-philosophic-mind-to-accept-that-all-one-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [No nation being under another nation can accept gifts, and kick at the responsibility attached to those gifts, imposed by the conquering nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/no-nation-being-under-another-nation-can-accept-gifts-and-kick-at-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Even with clothing naked animals, there were people who wanted to send in money. A woman in Santa Barbara, California, sent a $40,000 check.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-abel/even-with-clothing-naked-animals-there-were-people-who-wanted-to-send/) [Alan Abel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-abel/) > [Society understands the architecture of academia and knows there are relevant qualifications in different fields, and the media accepts the idea of specialisations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-griffiths/society-understands-the-architecture-of-academia-and-knows-there-are/) [Jay Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-griffiths/) > [Whatever your conscious mind assumes and believes to be true, your subconscious mind will accept and bring to pass. Believe in good fortune, divine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-murphy/whatever-your-conscious-mind-assumes-and-believes-to-be-true-your/) [Joseph Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-murphy/) > [Losing someone is easy, but accepting it is hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/losing-someone-is-easy-but-accepting-it-is-hard/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [… and so he tried to accept the ache in his heart as what Dr. Larch would call the common symptoms of normal life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/and-so-he-tried-to-accept-the-ache-in-his-heart-as-what-dr-larch/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [I think what was special about 'Music by Prudence' was the classic story of the title subject's life path - from being an outcast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-think-what-was-special-about-music-by-prudence-was-the-classic/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [As my films are born at the moment when they are reflected into another person's mind and memories, there are no misconceptions. I totally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pirjo-honkasalo/as-my-films-are-born-at-the-moment-when-they-are-reflected-into/) [Pirjo Honkasalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pirjo-honkasalo/) [Browse all 6,788 Accepting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accepting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The art world was not initially really accepting my kind of work. 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