“I paint objects as I think them, not as I see them.”
- October 25, 1881 – April 8, 1973
- Born in Spain
- Painter, sculptor, printmaker
- Founder of Cubism, he had a revolutionary influence on 20th century art, leaving behind masterpieces such as “Guernica”
Quote
“I paint objects as I think them, not as I see them.”
Explanation
In this quote, Picasso distinguishes between perception and interpretation in the artistic process. He asserts that the way an artist engages with the world is not limited to how things appear visually but is instead shaped by how they conceptualize or think about those objects. Picasso was a master of abstracting and deconstructing traditional representations, as seen in his Cubist works, where he moved away from realism and focused on presenting multiple perspectives simultaneously. For him, the act of painting was not about faithfully replicating reality but about expressing the deeper, more complex truths that his mind grasped, often far beyond what the eyes could see.
This idea has significant relevance in modern art and creativity, where artists, designers, and creators are often encouraged to look beyond mere visual appearance and think critically about the concepts and emotions they want to convey. Picasso’s approach reflects a broader view of creativity, where the imagination and thought process become as important—if not more so—than literal representation. Today, in fields like abstract art, graphic design, and even technology, creators continue to think outside the box, often blending ideas that go beyond traditional forms of visual or physical representation.
An example of this concept can be seen in the work of abstract artists like Wassily Kandinsky, who sought to express emotions and ideas through color and form rather than direct representation, or Salvador Dalí, whose surrealist paintings distorted reality to reflect his subconscious thoughts. Similarly, in graphic design, artists often create logos or visuals that convey deeper meanings and concepts, rather than just representing a product or object literally. Picasso’s quote reminds us that art and creativity are not bound by the limitations of what we can see but are driven by the imagination and the deeper understanding of the world around us.
