Louise Bourgeois Quotes

Powerful Louise Bourgeois for Daily Growth

About Louise Bourgeois

Louise Bourgeois (1911-2010) was a French-American artist, renowned for her thought-provoking sculptures and installations that explored themes of family, gender, and the human psyche. Born in Paris to a bourgeois family on February 25, 1911, she was the eldest of three children. Her early life was marked by tragedy; both her parents died when she was young, leaving her with deep-seated feelings of abandonment that would later manifest in her art. Bourgeois studied at the École du Louvre and the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris but never completed a degree. She married American art historian Robert Goldwater in 1938, moving to New York City with him in 1938. The couple had three children before divorcing in 1946. Her personal life continued to influence her work, with many pieces reflecting her feelings about motherhood, family dynamics, and the human condition. Throughout her long and prolific career, Bourgeois's art evolved from surrealist drawings and paintings to large-scale sculptures made of materials like bronze, marble, and fabric. Some of her most famous works include "Maman" (a spider sculpture symbolizing her mother), "Cellular Beings I & II" (organic forms representing the human body), and "Destruction of the Father" (depicting a large phallic form being dismembered). In 1982, at age 71, Bourgeois had her first major museum retrospective at The Museum of Modern Art in New York. This recognition catapulted her into international stardom and solidified her place as one of the most important artists of the 20th century. Louise Bourgeois passed away on May 31, 2010, leaving behind a rich body of work that continues to captivate audiences today. Her poignant quotes encapsulate her unique approach to art and life: "Art is a guarantee of sanity," and "To be an artist is to believe in life."

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Art is a guarantee of sanity."

Louise Bourgeois' quote, "Art is a guarantee of sanity," suggests that artistic expression provides emotional balance, mental well-being, and psychological stability in an unpredictable world. It implies that creating or engaging with art serves as a means to maintain one's sense of self, process complex feelings, and find meaning during challenging times. In essence, the practice of art helps individuals cope with life's difficulties, foster personal growth, and contribute to society in a positive way.

"The two words 'art' and 'heart' are only one apart. This shows the high position art occupies in the functioning of life."

Louise Bourgeois' quote underscores the profound emotional connection between human existence and artistic creation. She suggests that art, being just a single syllable removed from "heart," signifies its central role in our lives. This proximity implies that art is an expression of our deepest feelings, emotions, and experiences, making it a vital means for individuals to process and share their inner worlds with others. Thus, art functions as both a reflection and a catalyst for human life.

"Making art is like driving a car, with the giraffe standing on the dashboard reminding you of important things."

This quote suggests that creating art (driving a car) requires focus and concentration, but it should never lose sight of the big picture or deeper meanings (represented by the giraffe). In other words, while executing a task, artists must remember to maintain perspective and not forget the greater significance and emotional impact their work may have. The giraffe serves as a reminder of these important aspects.

"I am a woman, I am an artist, and my job is to make my own experience as an artist as interesting as possible to myself. That's all I care about."

This quote by Louise Bourgeois emphasizes her personal artistic journey and self-discovery. She prioritizes creating work that is compelling to herself, expressing her unique perspective as a woman artist. Her focus on making her own experience interesting underscores the importance of authenticity and personal exploration in her creative process. Ultimately, she saw her role as an artist not as a means to please others but as an opportunity for self-expression and growth.

"The spider is an ogress, a witch, an evil sorceress who spun her web in order to ensnare flies, men, animals, and anyone else that came near her dwelling. She is a weaver of fates, a manipulator of destinies. She is the guardian of the threshold, the protector of the boundary, the keeper of the secrets of creation and the mysteries of life."

Louise Bourgeois' quote personifies spiders as powerful female figures who weave intricate webs to protect their realms from external threats. This symbolizes their role in maintaining boundaries, creating order, and influencing destinies - a metaphor for the complexities of life, creation, and secret knowledge that they keep. The arachnids' dual nature as both creators and destroyers highlights the delicate balance between nurturing and guarding oneself or one's environment.

I know that when I finish a drawing, my anxiety level decreases. The realistic drawings are a way of pinning down an idea. I don't want to loose it. With the abstract drawings, when I'm feeling loose, I can slip into the unconscious.

- Louise Bourgeois

Down, I Can, Idea, Slip

Space is something that you have to define. Otherwise, it is like anxiety, which is too vague. A fear is something specific. I like claustrophobic spaces, because at least then you know your limits.

- Louise Bourgeois

Vague, Otherwise, Which, Spaces

When my mother died, I fell apart. My father wanted to control me. As a consequence, I ran away to America.

- Louise Bourgeois

Father, Away, Consequence, Ran

I was a 'runaway girl' from France who married an American and moved to New York City. I'm not sure I would have continued as an artist had I remained in Paris because of the family setup.

- Louise Bourgeois

City, Artist, Moved, Runaway

I was raised a Catholic. But I am not religious. In my work, I am interested in real flesh and blood.

- Louise Bourgeois

Work, Raised, Religious, Flesh

My art is a form of restoration in terms of my feelings to myself and to others.

- Louise Bourgeois

Art, Form, Terms, Feelings

To express your emotions, you have to be very loose and receptive. The unconscious will come to you if you have that gift that artists have. I only know if I'm inspired by the results.

- Louise Bourgeois

Gift, Unconscious, Very, Loose

Even though what I do does enter the market, it doesn't interest me. I am exclusively concerned with the formal qualities of my work. It is about the need and the right to self-expression.

- Louise Bourgeois

Need, Concerned, Though, Self-Expression

I have drawn my whole life. My parents were in the tapestry restoration business, and as a young girl, I would draw in the missing parts of the tapestry that needed to be rewoven.

- Louise Bourgeois

Business, Young, Tapestry, Missing

Look at it this way - a totem pole is just a decorated tree. My work is a confessional.

- Louise Bourgeois

Work, Totem, Totem Pole, Decorated

I have kept a diary as long as I can remember, and drawings are really another kind of diary.

- Louise Bourgeois

Remember, Kind, Diary, Drawings

Tell your own story, and you will be interesting.

- Louise Bourgeois

Own, Will, Tell, Story

My childhood has never lost its mystery, and it has never lost its drama.

- Louise Bourgeois

Childhood, Drama, Never, Mystery

I don't watch TV. I don't use a computer, a fax or a cellphone.

- Louise Bourgeois

Watch, Use, TV, Computer

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