In an artwork you’re always looking for artistic decisions, so an ashtray is perfect. An ashtray has got life and death.

Damien Hirst

 

The Quote in Other Words

When creating a piece of art, one is constantly seeking out artistic choices, and an ashtray is an ideal subject for this purpose. It embodies both the concepts of life and death.

 

Explanation of the Quote

This quote highlights the importance of artistic decisions in creating an artwork. Even a seemingly mundane object like an ashtray can be a perfect subject for an artist because it represents the duality of life and death. The ashtray is a symbol of life as it is used by people to smoke and relax, but it also represents death as it is filled with the remnants of burnt cigarettes. The artist can use this duality to create a thought-provoking piece of art that explores the complexities of life and death. This quote also suggests that an artist must have a keen eye for detail and be able to find beauty in unexpected places. Overall, this quote emphasizes the importance of artistic decisions and the ability to find inspiration in everyday objects.