In our family, there wasn't anything else besides art. Nothing else in the world existed. My father never spoke about going to a movie or listening to music, other than my mother's singing. Kiki Smith artexistfamily Change image and share on social
I got into animals by drawing hair follicles. I liked drawing hair, and from that I got into feathers and fur, then into images of animals. The patterning is the same, but the proportions of the body change from one animal to the next. A lot of it is just geometry and consciousness. Kiki Smith animalbodychange share on social
I think a lot of making art is listening to yourself. Kiki Smith artlistenlot Change image and share on social
Prior to my father's death, I was having a hard time committing to a career as an artist, but that's not because of who he was - it was because of who I am. It's true, though, that I felt I shouldn't compete with him, and that those feelings went away after he died. Kiki Smith artistcareercommit share on social
I like Betsy Ross as a model, too, the quilting bee, sitting around with your friends making art, asking what they think, so that you get the benefit of everyone's opinions and so it's not just about you in your you-dom. Kiki Smith artbeebenefit share on social
Many people don't have relationships to their siblings in adulthood, or they have superficial ones. It's sort of unfashionable, particularly in America, to be close to your family. Kiki Smith adulthoodamericaclose Change image and share on social
I didn't start to be an artist myself until I was 24. Kiki Smith artiststart Change image and share on social
You can have fantasies about having control over the world, but I know I can barely control my kitchen sink. That is the grace I'm given. Because when one can control things, one is limited to one's own vision. Kiki Smith barelycontrolfantasy share on social
I always say I'm Catholic - but a cultural Catholic. I wouldn't say I'm a spiritual person, although I pray every day. Kiki Smith catholicculturalday Change image and share on social
As a child I prayed that my calling be revealed - but not with expectation and not with a destination. I became an artist because I didn't know what to do and I thought it was really fun to make things. Kiki Smith artistcallchild share on social
