Chuck Close Quotes

Author Image

Chuck Close

Profession : Artist

Birth : July 5, 1940

In my art, I deconstruct and then I reconstruct, so visual perception is one of my primary interests.

Chuck Close

It's always a pleasure to talk about someone else's work.

Chuck Close

I think the problem with the arts in America is how unimportant it seems to be in our educational system.

Chuck Close

The first thing I do is take Polaroids of the sitter - 10 or 12 color Polaroids and eight or 10 black-and whites.

Chuck Close

No one was more surprised than me when my paintings started selling, except maybe my dealer.

Chuck Close

Of all the artists who emerged in the '80s, I think perhaps Cindy Sherman is the most important.

Chuck Close

There's something Zen-like about the way I work - it's like raking gravel in a Zen Buddhist garden.

Chuck Close

I don't care about the Guggenheim. The Guggenheim isn't involved in anything that I am interested in. I don't care about motorcycles and Armani suits.

Chuck Close

Losing my father at a tender age was extremely important in being able to accept what happened to me later when I became a quadriplegic.

Chuck Close

I think most paintings are a record of the decisions that the artist made. I just perhaps make them a little clearer than some people have.

Chuck Close

You know, the way art history is taught, often there's nothing that tells you why the painting is great. The description of a lousy painting and the description of a great painting will very much sound the same.

Chuck Close

Women in general interest me. I like how women are more liable to talk about real things, personal things.

Chuck Close

I'm plagued with indecision in my life. I can't figure out what to order in a restaurant.

Chuck Close

Any artist who goes to Las Vegas is an idiot as far as I am concerned. Whoever goes to Las Vegas can stay in Las Vegas.

Chuck Close