Rough work with a soul will always be open to all, including condemnation & reviling, while fine work housing emptiness is closed to all insults & is easily ivied over with paid praises

Richard Flanagan
About This Quote

It is often said that the work of art should be judged not by the critic but by the artist. This is because it is the artist who is in touch with his or her soul and where he or she lives that soul should be reflected in the art. This idea is quite different from paying for someone to say nice things about you. The work of art should not be influenced by what people say about it.

It should be judged by how well it conveys its message to anyone who looks at it. The kind of criticism that makes a difference is not paid praises but rather open, honest criticism.

Source: Goulds Book Of Fish: A Novel In Twelve Fish

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