My paintings are not about what is seen. They are about what is known forever in the mind.
AGNES MARTINMy paintings are not about what is seen. They are about what is known forever in the mind.
AGNES MARTINI think our minds respond to things beyond this world. Take beauty: it’s a very mysterious thing, isn’t it?
AGNES MARTINIt is commonly thought that everything that is can be put into words.
AGNES MARTINWhat I say is that we’re capable of a transcendent response, and I think it makes us happy. And I do think beauty produces a transcendent response.
AGNES MARTINBeauty and happiness and life are all the same and they are pervasive, unattached and abstract and they are our only concern.
AGNES MARTINThey are immeasurable, completely lacking in substance. They are perfect and sublime. This is the subject matter of art.
AGNES MARTINYou must find the things that you do like. The things that are acceptable to your mind.
AGNES MARTINWe all have the same concern, but the artist must know exactly what the experience is. He must pursue the truth relentlessly
AGNES MARTINOnce he sees this fact his feet are on the path. If you want to know the truth you will know it.
AGNES MARTINI hope I have made it clear that the work is about perfection as we are aware of it in our minds but that the paintings are very far from being perfect – completely removed in fact – even as we ourselves are.
AGNES MARTINThat which takes us by surprise-moments of happiness-that is inspiration.
AGNES MARTINI want to emphasize the fact that we all have the same experience and the same concern, but the artist must know exactly what the experience is. He must pursue the truth relentlessly.
AGNES MARTINYou have to penetrate these and hear what your mind is telling you to do. Such work is original work.
AGNES MARTINThe adventurous state of mind is a high house… The joy of adventure is unaccountable.
AGNES MARTINThere’s not any hint of nature. And still everybody responds, I think.
AGNES MARTINThe worst thing you can think about when you’re working is yourself.
AGNES MARTIN