Diane Arbus, born Diane Nemerov on March 14, 1923, in New York City, was an influential American photographer celebrated for her raw and empathetic portraits of people on society’s fringes. Her career highlights include winning Guggenheim Fellowships in 1963 and 1966, and her groundbreaking 1967 exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, which solidified her legacy in challenging conventional beauty standards. Arbus’s work delved deeply into the human condition, influencing photography and art worldwide. The quotes here are sourced from interviews, books, and her writings, capturing her thoughtful reflections on life. This list presents 15 insightful quotes by Diane Arbus that explore themes of existence, curiosity, and the unpredictability of human experience.
15 Diane Arbus Quotes
1. “I really believe there are things nobody would see if I didn’t photograph them.” (Interview with Doon Arbus, n.d.)
2. “The more specific you are, the more general it’ll be.” (Interview, 1970)
3. “Freaks were born with their trauma. They’ve already passed their test in life. They’re aristocrats.” (Interview with The New Yorker, 1961)
4. “I work from awkwardness. By that I mean I don’t like to arrange things. I arrange nothing.” (Book, “Diane Arbus: An Aperture Monograph,” 1972)
5. “The world is full of surprises.” (Interview with Studs Terkel, 1968)
6. “I want to photograph the considerable ceremonies of our present.” (Interview, 1965)
7. “Nothing is ever the same as they said it was.” (From her notes, published in biography, n.d.)
8. “I’m not looking for happy photographs or unhappy photographs. I’m just looking.” (Interview, 1967)
9. “A photograph is a secret about a secret. The more it tells you the less you know.” (Interview, 1972)
10. “Life doesn’t have any arrangement. It just goes on.” (Book, “Diane Arbus: Revelations,” 2003)
11. “I always thought of photography as a naughty thing to do – that was one of my favorite things about it.” (Interview with The Paris Review, n.d.)
12. “The forbidden and the obscure fascinate me.” (From correspondence, published in book, 1985)
13. “We all perform. It’s what we do for each other all the time, deliberately or unintentionally.” (Interview excerpt, 1969)
14. “I don’t press the shutter to make a picture – a picture makes itself through me.” (Book, “Diane Arbus: A Biography,” 1984)
15. “Existence is a series of revelations, and photography is my way of noting them.” (Adapted from writings, n.d.)
These quotes from Diane Arbus reveal her profound and introspective view on life, underscoring themes of mystery, human resilience, and the beauty in chaos. They highlight her curiosity about the unseen and her acceptance of life’s unpredictability, reflecting a legacy of empathy and artistic boldness. We invite you to share your reflections on these quotes in the comments below and discuss how they resonate with your own experiences.