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The reason you work as an artist is to stay open and ask questions.

I'm generally not a fan of didactic art because it papers over many of the hard experiences about war or anything else in life. I wanted to explore various aspects of the experience without an eye towards delivering any particular message.

I think that all great art never strives to answer any questions; it just asks the appropriate ones at the appropriate time.

I don't want to do things because it will please other people. I'm not doing this to get fame or any attention. I try to be selective about who I get advice from. I would like to contribute to the art world, but, you know, you can't plan these things.

As an artist, you want to do roles that challenge you and say something.

The educator and the public need to have an opportunity to discuss why certain art is important.

I tried to use the questions and answers as an armature on which to build a sculpture of genuine conversation.

That's what you want art to do, to open people up and start conversations.

But if you're talking about fine art work, then I think you have to ask yourself some pretty deep questions about why it is you want to take pictures and what it is you want to say.

The way I make art - the way a lot of people make art - is as an extension of language and communication, where references are incredibly important.