"I've never understood why artists, who so often condescend to the cliches of their own culture, are so eager to embrace the cliches of cultures they know nothing about"
- Brad Holland
About this Quote
This quote by Brad Holland speaks with the tendency of some artists to adopt the stereotypes and cliches of cultures they are unfamiliar with. This can be viewed as a kind of cultural appropriation, where one culture is taking elements from another culture without understanding the context or implying behind them. This can be viewed as rude and insensitive, as it can result in the misstatement of a culture and its individuals. It is important for artists to be knowledgeable about the implications of their work and to be considerate of the cultures they are portraying. It is also crucial to do research and get a much better understanding of the culture before attempting to represent it.
"We have our own history, our own language, our own culture. But our destiny is also tied up with the destinies of other people - history has made us all South Africans"
"Of course as children, we all, in all cultures and societies, learn behavior from observation, imitation, and encouragement of various kinds. So by the suggestion made, we all 'pretend' most of the time"
"Without culture, and the relative freedom it implies, society, even when perfect, is but a jungle. This is why any authentic creation is a gift to the future"
