Frank Stella
Minimalist of shaped canvases and 'what you see is what you see'.
Most quoted
"The problem with painting is that it's always been about something else. It's always been about telling a story or representing something."
— from Working Space, 1986
"I wanted to make paintings that were as good as anybody else's paintings, and I wanted to make them in a way that was new."
— from Interview with Frank Stella by Gene Swenson, 'What is Pop Art?', 1964
"I'm not interested in making art that's easy to understand. I'm interested in making art that's challenging."
— from Working Space, 1986
All quotes by Frank Stella (97)
I don't think there's any such thing as a bad color. There's only a bad combination of colors.
I think that the most important thing for an artist is to have a strong vision.
I'm not interested in making art that's comfortable. I'm interested in making art that makes you think.
I think that the best art is always a little bit uncomfortable.
I don't think there's any such thing as a perfect line. There's only a line that works.
I think that the most important thing for an artist is to be persistent.
I'm not interested in making art that's pretty. I'm interested in making art that's powerful.
The only thing that matters is the experience of the painting.
I think that the best art is always a little bit surprising.
I don't think there's any such thing as a perfect shape. There's only a shape that works.
I think that the most important thing for an artist is to be open to new ideas.
I'm not interested in making art that's easy to look at. I'm interested in making art that makes you work.
I think that the best art is always a little bit difficult.
I don't think there's any such thing as a perfect composition. There's only a composition that works.
I think that the most important thing for an artist is to be passionate about their work.
I'm not interested in making art that's decorative. I'm interested in making art that's meaningful.
The only thing that matters is the impact of the painting.
I think that the best art is always a little bit unsettling.
I don't think there's any such thing as a perfect technique. There's only a technique that works.
I think that the most important thing for an artist is to be true to themselves.
Contemporaries of Frank Stella
Other Visual Artss born within 50 years of Frank Stella (1936).