This question is asking for your opinion, but I will give you mine.
Yes, you need knowledge and empathy to create good art. You need the knowledge to know different art techniques such as shading or sculpting, and imagination. Imagination would be part of your knowledge on your creativity. You need empathy because you need to be able to transfer your's or someone's feelings into your art. Also, when you see great art, it often makes you want to feel like you are there (scenery art), or influence you to do something great (famous statue).
