Chris Jordan Quotes

Powerful Chris Jordan for Daily Growth

About Chris Jordan

Chris Jordan (1968-2019) was an American photographer, filmmaker, and public artist whose work focused on environmental issues and consumer culture. Born in Seattle, Washington, he grew up in rural New Mexico and Hawaii, experiences that deeply influenced his artistic sensibilities and appreciation for the natural world. After studying painting at Puget Sound College (now University of Puget Sound) and photography at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Jordan embarked on a career that would combine both disciplines to powerful effect. His breakthrough work came in 2005 with the series "Running the Numbers: An American Self-Portrait," which used statistical data to visually represent America's consumption habits and their environmental impact. Jordan's subsequent works continued this exploration of the intersection between humans, consumer culture, and nature. "Midway: Message from the Gyre" (2010) focused on the Albatrosses dying due to plastic ingestion in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. His last major work, "Intolerable Beauty," showcased images of waste produced by Americans over a single day, emphasizing the unsustainable nature of consumerism. Jordan's work has been exhibited worldwide, including at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Geographic Society, and the United Nations. His photographic style, characterized by high-contrast imagery and large scale, was designed to create a visceral impact, inviting viewers to confront the environmental challenges faced by our planet. Despite his untimely death in 2019, Jordan's legacy continues to inspire artists, activists, and concerned citizens alike.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The waste is not outside of us, it's inside of us, and it's our choices that make us truly rich."

This quote emphasizes the notion that the waste we perceive in the external world is a reflection of our internal choices. The "waste" could refer to excess consumption, pollution, or any action that negatively impacts our environment. Chris Jordan suggests that the true wealth or richness lies not in material possessions, but rather in the choices we make regarding how we interact with and impact the world around us. In essence, he encourages a shift towards mindful, sustainable living to create a more harmonious existence for both people and the planet.


"We have a choice: we can remain consumers of a world we don't think about, or we can become citizens of the world who act in ways that are consistent with our values."

This quote by Chris Jordan emphasizes the dual role individuals can play in society: as mere consumers, passive recipients of goods and services, or as active citizens, guided by their values and taking responsible actions to positively impact the world. The choice lies between being indifferent spectators or engaged participants who contribute to a sustainable and meaningful future.


"Our consumption is not only a measure of our prosperity but also a reflection of our humanity and our connection to each other and to the earth."

This quote by Chris Jordan suggests that our patterns of consumption serve as indicators of both our material wealth (prosperity) and our deeper human values, relationships, and connection to nature. Essentially, it implies that how we use resources not only reflects our affluence but also reveals the depth of our empathy towards fellow humans and the environment. A sustainable lifestyle, therefore, represents a balanced approach to prosperity that respects our shared humanity and the planet's well-being.


"Every day we make choices between thoughtless and mindful living. Mindfulness, when it comes down to it, is simply the willingness to be aware of what's actually happening in our lives instead of being on autopilot."

This quote by Chris Jordan emphasizes the importance of mindfulness as a conscious choice over auto-pilot living. It suggests that life is filled with daily choices, some of which involve being attentive to our experiences (mindful living) rather than blindly following habits or routines (thoughtless living). The author implies that mindfulness involves accepting awareness and understanding the present moment, rather than going through life on autopilot, unaware of one's own experiences. Overall, this quote highlights the power of intentional, focused attention in daily life and encourages individuals to cultivate mindfulness to enhance their personal growth and well-being.


"In a world where so much is out of balance, it's important to remember that every single act counts, and that we can make a difference in small ways every day."

This quote emphasizes the idea that despite widespread imbalance in the world, individual actions matter significantly. It suggests that even seemingly small acts have the potential to create change for the better when performed consistently. The message is that everyone has the power to contribute positively to society by making conscious choices in their daily lives, which collectively can lead to a more balanced world.


All of my work is meant to evoke a whole bunch of different layers of discord between the attraction and repulsion that we feel toward our consumer habits and our consumer lives.

- Chris Jordan

Habits, Meant, Lives, Attraction

I used to be a photographer - and now I'm some kind of digital photographic artist.

- Chris Jordan

Artist, Digital, Some, Photographic

I find myself walking these lines. Like I might be an artist, but I also might be an activist. And I'm trying to be both in a way that honors both and doesn't stray too far into either.

- Chris Jordan

Like, Activist, Stray, Honors

Activating is about changing people's perceptions of overlooked or invisible spaces. A building can become an archetype, invisible, like for a New Yorker, for example, the Statue of Liberty. You look at it, and it disappears into the thousands of times you've already seen it.

- Chris Jordan

Invisible, About, Overlooked, Perceptions

I hate the word 'rendering,' as it equates to 'pouring concrete' on ideas that demand continuing dialog. 'Trade secrets' imply hoarding of knowledge.

- Chris Jordan

Concrete, Imply, Rendering, Pouring

I wasn't interested in politics. My attitude about it was, I can't make a difference no matter what I do. And the truth is, I don't even care enough to try.

- Chris Jordan

Politics, Enough, About, Make A Difference

One culture I find fascinating to juxtapose against American culture is the culture of Germany. They've gone through a long process through their art, poetry, public discourse, their politics, of owning the fact of their complicity in what happened in World War II. It's still a topic of everyday conversation in Germany.

- Chris Jordan

Politics, Fact, Through, Complicity

I crave to be able to photograph the way a painter paints - in a loose, expressive way.

- Chris Jordan

Painter, Photograph, Paints

I think there's a tremendous amount of unacknowledged hostility in American culture.

- Chris Jordan

Think, I Think, Amount, Tremendous Amount

Set your compass to beauty, humor, and grief; stay the course no matter what, and I'll support you with everything I've got.

- Chris Jordan

Beauty, Set, Your, Grief

American culture is not about experiencing our shame, it's about denying it. It's been that way our whole history.

- Chris Jordan

Shame, Been, About, Experiencing

There's an axiom I live by: 'There is no art without politics.' You either choose to engage it, or you choose political apathy. This ties in with ideas around real-time performance and feedback.

- Chris Jordan

Art, Politics, Political, Engage

What I aspire to is to have the viewer look directly at the subject, as if they're looking through a window at the real thing.

- Chris Jordan

Through, Viewer, Subject, Real Thing

My ideas tend to arise out of nowhere when I'm not intentionally trying to think of something.

- Chris Jordan

Think, Nowhere, Tend, Intentionally

I know that if I were to take ugly photographs, no one would be interested in looking at them.

- Chris Jordan

Take, Would, Were, Photographs

I only want to work with transparent ideas and accessible technologies that 'spotlight' the individual's role in society through creativity. I try to live an open-source life.

- Chris Jordan

Through, Role, Accessible, Spotlight

I'm just becoming more and more aware of this truly profound responsibility that we carry as individuals. And it's a responsibility not only to ourselves and to our families, but to the billions of people who still have to come in the future who will be dealing with our legacy.

- Chris Jordan

Legacy, Becoming, Ourselves, Billions

There is no public out there who needs to change. It's each one of us.

- Chris Jordan

Change, Needs, Public, Each One

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