James Joyce, John Lennon, and Art

Way back, in my AP English class, we read "A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man".  I remember thinking how cool it was that Joyce felt he had to tear down all his youthful influences to release his inner muse and become an artist.

Seems to me John Lennon is sending the same message in an entirely different medium with his song "God".

Is it always necessary to leave something behind in order to look at it?  Maybe not - but if you are not looking for a new perspective then you are not an artist, are you?