Michelle Grabner Quotes

Powerful Michelle Grabner for Daily Growth

About Michelle Grabner

Michelle Grabner is an American artist, educator, and curator who has made significant contributions to contemporary art with her innovative practices, thoughtful installations, and influential roles within the art world. Born in 1962 in Columbus, Ohio, she grew up in a family of educators, fostering an early appreciation for education and creativity. Grabner earned her BFA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1984, where she later returned to teach at the School of Art and Design, rising through the ranks to become a Professor. Her teaching career has been marked by a commitment to nurturing student creativity and fostering collaborative practices. Grabner's artistic practice revolves around painting, drawing, printmaking, and textile work. She is particularly known for her intricate, layered compositions that explore color, pattern, and form. Her works often draw from personal experiences and everyday objects, creating a unique visual language that resonates with viewers. In addition to her studio practice, Grabner has curated numerous exhibitions, including the influential "The Freedom Principle: Experiments in Art and Music, 1965 to Now" at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (2016). This exhibition brought together works by African American artists who were part of the AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians), emphasizing the interconnectedness of art and music. Grabner's impact on contemporary art extends beyond her studio practice and curatorial roles. She co-founded The Suburban, a non-profit gallery in Oak Park, Illinois, with her husband Brad Killam, providing a platform for emerging artists and fostering dialogue about contemporary art practices. Throughout her career, Grabner has received numerous awards and honors, including the Joan Mitchell Foundation Painters & Sculptors Grant (2006) and a Guggenheim Fellowship (2014). Her works are included in prominent collections such as The Museum of Modern Art, New York; the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; and the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Art is a site for experimentation."

This quote emphasizes that art serves as a platform for exploration, innovation, and the testing of new ideas. Art is not merely about creating finished products or reproducing reality; instead, it's a space where artists can challenge conventions, push boundaries, and explore possibilities beyond the ordinary. In other words, the process of creation in art should be a dynamic and open-ended journey that leads to discovery, learning, and growth.


"Make something you're excited about every day."

This quote by Michelle Grabner emphasizes the importance of daily passion and creativity in one's work or life. By making something exciting each day, one can maintain a sense of enthusiasm and purpose, fostering personal growth and fulfillment. It encourages individuals to approach their tasks with excitement, transforming mundane activities into opportunities for exploration and self-expression. This mindset can lead to greater job satisfaction, innovation, and overall happiness.


"Don't be afraid to make work that feels awkward or weird; it's all part of the process."

This quote encourages creators to embrace uncertainty and explore unconventional ideas without fear, as these awkward or strange phases are integral steps in the creative process. It suggests that pushing beyond comfort zones can lead to innovative work and personal growth.


"The most important thing an artist can do is to keep making work."

This quote emphasizes the essential nature of continuous creation in an artist's life. By constantly producing work, an artist not only refines their skills but also deepens their understanding of themselves and the world around them. The process of creating serves as a means for self-expression, personal growth, and contribution to society's artistic dialogue. The consistent effort to create is what sets artists apart, enabling them to maintain relevance in the ever-evolving field of art.


"I believe that art is everywhere, and everyone has the potential to make it."

This quote emphasizes that creativity and artistic potential are universally distributed among all individuals, not confined to professional artists or specific environments. It suggests that art can manifest in various forms, beyond traditional gallery or studio works, and that anyone who chooses to engage with their surroundings and inner thoughts has the capacity to create art.


I need to be working with the art world in N.Y.C. as much as I need to be working in my studios in Chicago and rural Wisconsin.

- Michelle Grabner

Art, Wisconsin, Studios, Art World

The whole experience co-curating the Biennial was a learning experience. The Suburban and The Poor Farm are not institutions. They are not by design, organized around power structures. Because I am someone who thrives on delineating context, seeing up close the inner workings of the museum was not wasted on me.

- Michelle Grabner

Learning, Experience, Whole, Context

The School of the Art Institute is an extraordinary teaching institution by the fact that it believes that active studio artists are good teachers. That may seem an obvious statement, but in higher education, it is often the student's course evaluations that win the day with administrators.

- Michelle Grabner

Education, Fact, Studio, Institute

Contemporary curators orbit in the place of distribution and consumption, and less and less in the space of artists. I think it has become a lazy profession in regard to its relationship to the artists and the vigorous state of art making.

- Michelle Grabner

Art, Think, Profession, Vigorous

Artists who take on curatorial activities have the advantage of negating the professional hurdles and limitations comprising institutions.

- Michelle Grabner

Artists, Institutions, Take, Limitations

I am a huge fan of Sheila Hicks.

- Michelle Grabner

I Am, Fan, Huge, Huge Fan

I hope to make the process of producing my take of the Biennial a transparent and interesting one for artists.

- Michelle Grabner

Process, Artists, Take, Producing

Location is all about the efficiency of work for me.

- Michelle Grabner

Work, Efficiency, About, Location

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