Ideas must be put to the test. That's why we make things, otherwise they would be no more than ideas. There is often a huge difference between an idea and its realisation. I've had what I thought were great ideas…

Quote by Andy Goldsworthy

Topics: Andy Goldsworthy Quotes

Stones are checked every so often to see if any have split or at worst...

Stones are checked every so often to see if any have split or at worst...

The stones tear like flesh, rather than breaking. Although what happens is violent, it is...

The stones tear like flesh, rather than breaking. Although what happens is violent, it is...

I soon realised that what had happened on a small scale cannot necessarily be repeated...

I soon realised that what had happened on a small scale cannot necessarily be repeated...

I have worked with this red all over the world - in Japan, California, France,...

I have worked with this red all over the world - in Japan, California, France,...

I have walked around the same streets so many times, and then seen a place...

I have walked around the same streets so many times, and then seen a place...

I'm cautious about using fire. It can become theatrical. I am interested in the heat,...

I'm cautious about using fire. It can become theatrical. I am interested in the heat,...

I am not a performer but occasionally I deliberately work in a public context. Some...

I am not a performer but occasionally I deliberately work in a public context. Some...

The difference between a theatre with and without an audience is enormous. There is a...

The difference between a theatre with and without an audience is enormous. There is a...

People do not realise that many of my works are done in urban places. I...

People do not realise that many of my works are done in urban places. I...

People also leave presence in a place even when they are no longer there.

People also leave presence in a place even when they are no longer there.

The hardened mass of liquid stones had much stronger qualities than those which had simply...

The hardened mass of liquid stones had much stronger qualities than those which had simply...

Winter makes a bridge between one year and another and, in this case, one century...

Winter makes a bridge between one year and another and, in this case, one century...

Snow provokes responses that reach right back to childhood.

Snow provokes responses that reach right back to childhood.

The reason why the stone is red is its iron content, which is also why...

The reason why the stone is red is its iron content, which is also why...

Photography is a way of putting distance between myself and the work which sometimes helps...

Photography is a way of putting distance between myself and the work which sometimes helps...

My art is an attempt to reach beyond the surface appearance. I want to see...

My art is an attempt to reach beyond the surface appearance. I want to see...

It's frightening and unnerving to watch a stone melt.

It's frightening and unnerving to watch a stone melt.

Not being able to touch is sometimes as interesting as being able to touch.

Not being able to touch is sometimes as interesting as being able to touch.

I did tests on small stones before collecting and committing myself to the larger ones.

I did tests on small stones before collecting and committing myself to the larger ones.

Once the fired stone is out of the kiln, it is still possible to mentally...

Once the fired stone is out of the kiln, it is still possible to mentally...