Kay’s remark rejects the idea that art should be judged mainly by comparison with other works. A relative judgement asks whether one work is better, worse or more successful than another, but this can obscure the question of whether the work achieves something worthwhile on its own terms.

The quotation therefore points towards a more independent form of aesthetic judgement. Rather than relying on rankings, fashion or competition, it suggests considering the qualities, aims and effects of a work directly. The statement is deliberately absolute, and different traditions of criticism do make extensive use of comparison. Read more broadly, however, Kay’s point is that comparative measures can become a distraction when they replace close attention to the work itself and to the standards appropriate to it.