I made a real specific decision when I came out of school and most artists were writing about home - if you were a woman, you were writing about being a woman - and I decided not to do that, write about what you know. That's not what I do. I went as far away from home as possible in terms of the development of my imagination.

Anna Deavere Smith’s quote, "I made a real specific decision when I came out of school and most artists were writing about home - if you were a woman, you were writing about being a woman - and I decided not to do that, write about what you know. That's not what I do. I went as far away from home as possible in terms of the development of my imagination," reveals her deliberate decision to break away from conventional expectations in artistic expression. In a time when many artists, particularly women, were focusing on personal themes like gender and identity, Smith chose to explore beyond what was familiar. Her statement reflects a desire to create work that was not limited to personal experience but ventured into new territories for the development of her imagination.

By rejecting the idea of "writing about what you know", Smith took a more expansive and creative approach to her work. This choice allowed her to explore unfamiliar perspectives and concepts that were outside her immediate experience. In doing so, she fostered a deeper connection with her imagination, choosing to challenge herself with complex and unfamiliar ideas rather than relying solely on her own personal experiences for material.

Smith's decision to move as far away from home as possible in terms of her creative development reflects a broader desire to transcend the limits of conventional storytelling and explore a wider array of human experiences. This move reflects the belief that artists can grow and develop their craft by stepping outside their comfort zones and embracing a broader range of influences and themes. It’s about expanding one’s artistic horizon to capture the richness of diverse experiences and not being confined by the familiar.

Ultimately, Smith’s quote speaks to the freedom and growth that come with exploring the unknown. By deliberately choosing to step away from the expected and the personal, she cultivated a more expansive and innovative approach to art, one that allowed her to challenge not just herself but also the expectations of what art, particularly female-driven art, should focus on. This commitment to pushing boundaries highlights the power of imagination in shaping meaningful artistic work.