Julian Schnabel quotes

Traditionally, photography is supposed to capture an event that has passed; but that is not what I'm looking for. Photography brings the past into the present when you look at it. (Julian Schnabel)

If I hung one of my paintings next to someone else's, I knew mine would kind of pop off the wall.

Julian Schnabel

I'm not saying I'm the only Jewish person who cares about Palestinian people, but unfortunately, their voices are not necessarily heard as loudly as they should be.

Julian Schnabel

I guess I am ruthless too because that's what makes a great artist. But I also respect people, I don't go around stepping on their heads.

Julian Schnabel

It's a great excuse and luxury, having a job and blaming it for your inability to do your own art. When you don't have to work, you are left with the horror of facing your own lack of imagination and your own emptiness. A devastating possibility when finally time is your own.

Julian Schnabel

I've never made a movie to make money. I've never made a painting to make money.

Julian Schnabel

My compulsion is to create things.

Julian Schnabel

My early paintings weren't that good - I was very influenced by Francis Bacon. But there was a kind of intensity there. And however influenced they may have been by other people, even my earliest paintings were recognisably my own.

Julian Schnabel

There's been too much attention on marketing. Can't we just talk about the paintings?

Julian Schnabel

Some people must go to extremes to get the world in balance for themselves. Some can't bear bright lights, so wherever they go they search for the dark; they turn the lights down, anything to sustain some level of comfort.

Julian Schnabel

I think that truth is stranger than fiction, and it's nice to know the people you're making a movie about. (Julian Schnabel)

I never paid much attention to being Jewish when I was a kid. In fact, I'd say my religion was more surfing than Judaism - that's what I spent most of my time doing.

Julian Schnabel