"Warhol was a prime example of a schizoid person. Maybe he had Asperger's, or maybe he was just an amorous human being on earth."
About Jim Shaw
Jim Shaw — Life and Legacy
Jim Shaw is a significant figure in contemporary art, recognized for his unique approach to exploring identity and creativity. His work often defies traditional artistic boundaries, inviting viewers to engage with complex narratives that reflect personal and societal themes. Shaw's core philosophy revolves around the idea that art is a means of understanding the human experience. He famously stated, 'Art is a way of knowing,' which encapsulates his belief that creativity can illuminate deeper truths about existence. This perspective encourages a dialogue between the artist and the audience, fostering a connection that transcends mere aesthetics. By blending various styles and mediums, Shaw challenges the norms of what art can be, pushing the viewer to reconsider their preconceived notions of identity. The relevance of Shaw's work today lies in its ability to resonate with contemporary issues of self-expression and authenticity. His exploration of personal narratives in art not only enriches the viewer's experience but also highlights the importance of embracing one's unique story. In a world where conformity often reigns, Shaw's quotes and artistic endeavors serve as a reminder of the power of individuality and the transformative potential of creativity.
Quote collection
Jim Shaw quotes
16 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"I feel like schizoid is a precursor to schizophrenia or manic depression. I feel like I'm manic. I have parts of schizoid, parts of Asperger's. I'm a smorgasbord of neuroses."
"I feel like I have to avoid certain thrift store-isms, having been known for the thrift store paintings. It's like I have to not paint that way."
"If I don't have a deadline, I could fuss around with stuff for forever."
"I realized that I wasn't naturally born to good taste. I understand what it is, but I am happy to wear bright colors. I do have a few items of black clothing, but I think good taste and doing the same thing over and over again is what the whole art world has become."
"There's so many bigger things in the world. The art world is such a tiny little thing compared to wars and migration crises. It's weird to be self-absorbed in it."
"I can never remember names. I'm so self-centered and have a terrible memory."
"The one thing I'm jealous of a signature-artist situation is that if you just do one thing and slight variations on it, you wouldn't have to kill yourself to get a show done. I'm sick of killing myself."
"One thing I noticed over time is that if I got a bad review, usually the bad part of it was at the very end. I could tell that nobody read the whole review because they would just say, "It was great to see the review!" In a way, my brain shuts down at the end of an article. It doesn't really want to go to the end."
"There's a lot of different kinds of success. I'm so dedicated to the making of the art that the rest of my life atrophies, unfortunately."
"There's so much art and it's gotten so flashy. In the global marketplace, having art that's shiny and has neon lights is almost what you need for anyone to notice it in an art fair situation - and art fairs seem to be more and more the only thing there is."
"I'm getting more and more isolated as I get on in years. I think people's insanity starts to slowly take over."
"I'm jealous of that time when you could afford lofts and survive on almost nothing. You can't do that anymore."
"When you're younger, you go out and you're convivial because you have to be. But once you don't have to meet people anymore, what's your motivation in going out?"
"They say the one thing that people who live the longest have in common is that they have a religious belief."
"I've had far more success than I ever expected. But I do think that a lot of successful artists have an aim to be successful, even if they don't outwardly sound like it. I never really expected success."