Gutzon Borglum

Art is the signature of civilization.

The purpose of art is to make the soul aware of the beautiful.

A monument is not merely a pile of stone. It is a living thing, a symbol of a nation's soul.

The artist must be a prophet, not a recorder.

Sculpture is the art of the solid and the void.

The great artist is one who can see the invisible and make it visible.

My work is not to make a likeness, but to make a living thing.

The mountains are my canvas, and the elements are my tools.

I want to create something that will outlast me, something that will speak to future generations.

The true artist is always a student.

You cannot carve a great man unless you know him.

The greatest art is that which inspires the greatest thought.

I believe in the power of art to uplift and inspire.

To create a monument is to write history in stone.

The artist's greatest challenge is to capture the spirit of a subject.

My aim is to make art that is accessible to all, not just a select few.

The beauty of nature is the greatest teacher for any artist.

Every chisel stroke is a decision, a commitment.

The artist must have courage to break new ground.

I am not interested in making pretty pictures, but in making powerful statements.