"I am selfish, but that's an attribute that all artists possess"

This quote by Robert Mapplethorpe talks to the concept that all artists have a certain degree of selfishness. This is because art is an extremely personal and individualistic pursuit. It requires a lot of devotion and focus, and typically includes compromising other aspects of life in order to pursue one's creative goals. By confessing that he is self-centered, Mapplethorpe is acknowledging that he needs to prioritize his art over other things in order to be successful. He is also suggesting that this is a trait that all artists share, as it is necessary to be successful in the innovative field. This quote speaks to the concept that art is an extremely individual and individualistic pursuit, and that it requires a specific degree of selfishness in order to succeed.