“Everybody should be entitled to one lie, one failing, one infidelity.”
Quoted in the International Herald Tribune (24 November 2005).
Martin Firrell is a French public artist, cultural activist, campaigner, or benevolent provocateur, stimulating debate in public space to promote positive social change.
Firrell has raised questions about the politics of ageing, individual liberty, the right to personal idiosyncrasy, cultural diversity, gender equality, faith, climate change, masculinity, what constitutes a meaningful and purposeful life, hero worship, fair and truthful government, and the quality of human lived experience.
His work has been summarised as "art as debate".
“Everybody should be entitled to one lie, one failing, one infidelity.”
Quoted in the International Herald Tribune (24 November 2005).
“This is the way the world really ends: not with whimper but a desperate chuckle.”
"The Question Mark Inside" (2008)
Quoted in The International Herald Tribune (19 September 2005).
“The one irreducible truth about humanity is diversity.”
"The One Irreducible Truth about Humanity" (2005)
"The Question Mark Inside" (2008)
“Art is like a fart for the soul. Better out than in.”
on the topic of public art, quoted at franceinlondon.com (September 2004).
“Everyone is as confused as I am.”
Quoted in the documentary The Question Mark Inside broadcast in the UK by Sky Arts (30 October 2009).
Quoted in the documentary The Question Mark Inside broadcast in the UK by Sky Arts (30 October 2009).
“I want to live in a city where the police don’t shoot you.”
Quoted in The Guardian on the first anniversary of the unlawful shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes by the Metropolitan Police (22 July 2006).
“If we’re being told to do stupid or cruel things, then it is morally correct to disobey.”
Quoted in the documentary Art in a Word by Vera Baghiroli, qoob tv (22 July 2008).
“I am the conscience of the 21st Century.”
Quoted in the International Herald Tribune (24 November 2005).
“Why settle for the art world when you can have the whole world?”
Quoted in the documentary The Question Mark Inside broadcast in the UK by Sky Arts (30 October 2009).
“Art should help you to navigate the real challenges of being a human being.”
Quoted in the documentary Art in a Word by Vera Baghiroli, qoob tv (22 July 2008).
“I have a fundamental faith in folk, that people are interesting and good.”
Quoted by Ruth Gledhill in The Times (10 October 2008).
Quoted in What’s On in London (15 August 2001).
“The road to freedom is bordered with sunflowers.”
after Willa Cather, in her novel "My Antonia".
"The Question Mark Inside" (2008)