The quote suggests that Morrissey, a well-known artist, playfully exaggerates about his physical composition by claiming he is partly made up of non-human materials such as papier mache, which implies an unconventional and imaginative take on his persona. By stating this, he humorously hints at the idea that artists are not entirely grounded in reality but exist somewhat outside it.
This statement reveals Morrissey's view of the artist’s identity being intertwined with their work and imagination, rather than just their physical existence. He is suggesting that the essence of an artist goes beyond mere human traits; they incorporate elements from various sources to create something unique and extraordinary. By claiming he is forty percent papier mache, Morrissey humorously emphasizes how artists often adopt personas or identities that go against conventional norms and embrace whimsical creativity. This quote also reflects on the fluid nature of identity in the arts, where an artist's role can be as flexible and transformative as the materials they work with.
Morrissey is a renowned singer-songwriter known for his distinctive voice and lyrical style. He gained fame as the frontman of The Smiths during the 1980s and continued to release solo albums while also engaging in various creative pursuits such as writing novels and contributing to journalism, all the while maintaining a witty and often humorous public persona that aligns with the spirit of his quote.