GREAT ARTISTS STEAL is a brand line under Illo.

Originally created as a theme for merch designed by Castillo when he was a part of student government, it’s extended beyond the walls of his alma mater and became a mentality. The phrase “good artists borrow, great artists steal” and all its iterations is one of the most frequently misattributed quotes of all time, specifically with many great artists throughout history. From Picasso, Stravinsky, and T.S. Eliot, to Steve Jobs, Walt Disney, and Banksy, it seems as though its presence in an artist’s history of quotes is a mark of their impact.

The phrase is a conversation starter, and refers strictly to the cyclical nature of art’s contribution to societal progress, not to idea theft or intellectual property. Original ideas come in all shapes and sizes, but one thing remains true: the essence of creativity is in reconstruction. Idea theft should never be condoned or celebrated. What should be acknowledged is the fact that behind all great creators are the ideas that inspired them, and any artist should be proud to use the fecundity of their imagination to reinvent anything that’s been done before. Such a process should be done proudly and without reluctance or shame, hence the reason for the divisive word “steal”.

GREAT ARTISTS STEAL holds a yearly showcase under the same name. It is dedicated to the influence creators have on their own kind. The first showcase was on May 9th, 2019.

All flyers and designs by Joshua Castillo.