Barry Mcgee Quotes

Powerful Barry Mcgee for Daily Growth

About Barry Mcgee

Barry McGee, an influential figure in the contemporary art world, was born on August 17, 1966, in California. Raised in the vibrant and diverse neighborhoods of San Francisco, his formative years significantly influenced his artistic style and subject matter. McGee's work is deeply rooted in street culture, graffiti, and skateboarding, which he experienced firsthand growing up. This exposure to the raw energy and creative spirit of urban environments has been a persistent theme throughout his career. He began his artistic journey during the late 1980s, when he was part of the Rude crew, one of the pioneering graffiti groups in San Francisco. In 1996, McGee relocated to New Orleans, where he immersed himself in the city's rich history and culture. This period saw the evolution of his signature style, characterized by intricate line work, organic forms, and vivid colors. His large-scale murals and installation pieces can be found on buildings and public spaces around the world. In 2001, McGee returned to San Francisco, where he continues to live and work. Over the years, his artwork has been exhibited in prestigious institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), and the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA). McGee's major works include "The City Rises," a large-scale installation at the de Young Museum in San Francisco, and "Painted Lines" at the Oakland International Airport. His art serves as a visual narrative of urban life, capturing the energy and spirit of communities often overlooked by mainstream culture. Barry McGee's unique artistic vision, rooted in street culture yet transcending traditional boundaries, continues to resonate with audiences worldwide. His work is a testament to the power of art as a tool for social commentary and urban storytelling.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Art is a way of sharing my own personal experience with others."

This quote by Barry McGee encapsulates the essence of art as a means of communication, connecting artist and audience through the sharing of deeply personal experiences. By creating art, artists offer glimpses into their unique perspectives, emotions, and thoughts, inviting others to empathize, reflect, or simply appreciate from a distance. Art, in this sense, acts as a bridge between individual worlds, fostering understanding, compassion, and unity amidst our diverse experiences.


"I try not to take myself too seriously and I think that's reflected in my work."

This quote suggests that Barry McGee values humility and lightheartedness, which he expresses through his artwork. By not taking himself too seriously, he allows for a more casual and playful approach to his creative process, imbuing his work with a sense of freedom and fun. This perspective can inspire others to approach their own endeavors with a similar attitude, fostering an environment that encourages exploration, experimentation, and self-expression without undue stress or pressure.


"Inspiration comes from within and also from the world around us."

Barry McGee's quote suggests that inspiration can stem both from introspection (within oneself) and from external sources like nature, people, experiences, or art. It implies that one should look inward to tap into personal creativity but also be open to gaining inspiration from the world around them for a wellspring of ideas. This dual perspective underscores the importance of both self-reflection and exposure to diverse stimuli in fostering originality and creativity.


"I believe in the power of art to connect people and to bring joy."

This quote emphasizes the transformative and unifying potential of art. It suggests that through artistic creations, we can transcend boundaries and forge connections among people from different backgrounds, cultures, or walks of life. Moreover, it highlights the innate ability of art to bring joy, brightening our lives by provoking emotions, stimulating thought, and offering a momentary escape from daily realities. Ultimately, the quote underscores the idea that art holds immense power in fostering empathy, strengthening communities, and cultivating happiness.


"Everyone has their own interpretation of my work, and I think that's beautiful."

This quote suggests that Barry McGee embraces the diverse perspectives people bring to his artwork, finding beauty in the variety of interpretations. He seems to respect and value the individuality and creativity of others, allowing their unique experiences to enrich the meaning and impact of his art.


I love graffiti because it enables kids from every social extraction to do something that brings them closer to art, when they normally wouldn't be stimulated to be visually creative. Graffiti helps to develop an awareness of immediate expressive and uncontrolled freedom.

- Barry McGee

Love, I Love, Brings, Stimulated

For me, graffiti means making marks on surfaces using just about anything, be it markers, spray, paint, chalk, lipstick, varnish, ink. Or it can be the result of scratches and incisions. The aim is to maintain the energy created by disturbance or excitement in the street.

- Barry McGee

Aim, Maintain, Disturbance, Spray

It's very intense to go back to the past and revive work that I've already experienced and moved forward from. It's like seeing an old girlfriend - awkward at times, nostalgic at times and downright maddening and embarrassing.

- Barry McGee

Past, Like, Very, Maddening

My artwork gets stolen all the time; it's ridiculous.

- Barry McGee

Time, Ridiculous, Artwork, Stolen

I have tons of art books. I have them all over the place. They are in my car, in my bag, and in my studio. There are books around me all the time.

- Barry McGee

Art, Over, Studio, Tons

Drawings, paintings, and sculptures. That's the three pillars of art academia.

- Barry McGee

Art, Pillars, Sculptures, Academia

I love biographies. I read Patti Smith's 'Just Kids.' I'm into that time frame in New York, the '70s and '80s. In art school, I read 'Close to the Knives,' the autobiography of the artist and AIDS activist David Wojnarowicz.

- Barry McGee

Love, Artist, Smith, Frame

Work done illegally outdoors or without permission feels like pure freedom to me. I understand how it can upset many in our society, but in the bigger picture, it is ultimately about freedom. We are living in a time where public space has become a commodity for corporations to control and dictate what is seen and heard.

- Barry McGee

Upset, Feels, Commodity, Outdoors

I like the idea that you can paint something outdoors, and anyone can see it. It's open to anyone, and people have to deal with it. In the gallery, it's the same 150 people on the San Francisco art scene. There's a dynamic on the street that's definitely more interesting.

- Barry McGee

Deal, Idea, Francisco, Outdoors

I want to do just, like, regular art. Whatever is made today on canvas goes up against all of art history. It's the most radical thing.

- Barry McGee

Art, Canvas, Radical, Regular

I read in a weird way. It comes in waves, and then I start, like, five different books at once. It takes me six months to a year to finish them all, since I read mostly on planes.

- Barry McGee

Me, Year, Mostly, Weird Way

I see a really good tag on a building, a man passed out in the middle of the street, a couple hugging, a cop arresting a panhandler. I'm interested in how all these things are happening in one block.

- Barry McGee

Cop, I See, Couple, Block

Most inspiration still comes from bicycling around San Francisco. This city never fails to inspire me. It is one of the most vibrant cities - especially visually - with a constant influx of young energy arriving daily. I love it.

- Barry McGee

Love, Constant, Francisco, Energy

If I could get the respect of 14-year-olds, I'm happy. They're the toughest audience.

- Barry McGee

Audience, Could, Toughest, If I Could

I'm really into California art from the '60s. I like a lot of Bay Area artists, like Nathan Oliveira and Bruce Conner.

- Barry McGee

Art, Bay Area, Area, Bay

Some people are enraged, and some people are applauding. If there were a mission statement for graffiti, that would be it.

- Barry McGee

Mission, Some, Would, Enraged

I wasn't trying to turn graffiti into an art form. I just wanted to learn about art. I wanted to learn this game.

- Barry McGee

Art, Game, Learn, Art Form

I just try to get away with as much as I can. I don't think that's very radical in the art world.

- Barry McGee

Art, Think, Very, Art World

As soon as I start reading, drawing comes to me more easily. I find I work in my sketchbooks more. But if I'm working on a new show, my reading completely stops except when I'm on a plane. I take a stack of New Yorkers with me. I feel awful about those stacks of New Yorkers.

- Barry McGee

Show, Plane, Stack, New Yorkers

The parts of graffiti I like are really antagonizing still - it's not something that a museum would really embrace.

- Barry McGee

Embrace, Like, Still, Museum

Some of my favorite pieces are from thrift shops. When I find something I really love, I live, work and sleep in it.

- Barry McGee

Love, Work, Some, Thrift

Street artists need to get back to actually doing things on the streets instead of in the galleries where they all seem to be ending up. I hope this term 'street artist' falls from the face of the earth, in my honest opinion.

- Barry McGee

Doing, Artist, Streets, Term

I'm really into California art from the '60s.

- Barry McGee

Art, Really, California

Galleries are easier to steal from than the Apple Store, maybe.

- Barry McGee

Maybe, Steal, Than, Apple

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