"I paint to evoke a changing language of symbols, a language with which to remark upon the qualities of our mysterious capacities which direct us toward ultimate reality"

Morris Graves, a prominent American painter related to the Northwest School, often checked out magical and spiritual themes through his art. The quote, "I paint to stimulate an altering language of symbols, a language with which to mention upon the qualities of our strange capacities which direct us toward ultimate reality", encapsulates his creative viewpoint and his technique to art as a means of communication and exploration.

In this statement, Graves highlights the role of art as a vibrant car for expression and understanding. He describes a "changing language of signs", suggesting that the signs he utilizes in his paintings are not fixed or static but progress gradually. This reflects his understanding that human perception and understanding are fluid and that art needs to adjust to show these shifts. By using signs, Graves use a universal mode of communication that goes beyond spoken language, intending to provoke a much deeper, instinctive reaction in the viewer.

The phrase "remark upon the qualities of our mysterious capacities" speaks to Graves's interest in the hidden capabilities and spiritual insights that lie within human beings. These "strange capabilities" might encompass the subconscious mind, intuition, and the capability to get in touch with something greater than oneself. Graves's work often explored the spiritual measurements of human experience, seeking to brighten the unseen forces that shape our understanding of reality.

The supreme goal, as Graves conveys, is to direct us "toward ultimate reality". This suggests a journey or a process facilitated by art, where the viewer is assisted to a higher level of awareness or a more profound fact. Graves saw art as a transformative experience, both for the artist and the audience, in pursuit of an ultimate reality that is maybe magnificent, transcendent, or ineffable.

In essence, this quote records Graves's vision of art as a living, breathing entity capable of bridging the earthly and the spiritual, opening pathways to deeper understanding and connection with the universe and the self. His paintings become not just visual works however spiritual workouts, inviting viewers to explore and broaden their own understandings of reality.