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I think, as an artist, part of your job is being aware of what's going on around you and not selling out and not following the trend, which I'm totally against.

A lot of people who curate in the business, and curate the art, don't really have good artistic sense. They may know commerce, but they aren't savvy enough to know how to balance commerce and art, you know? They don't know how to satisfy both palates.

I love the idea of bringing my work to the general public, not just people who go to gallery openings.

When an artist leaves his work to amuse people, he loses his time and their respect. If people are to be amused by artists, it must be by employing them in their legitimate occupation.

It's a great excuse and luxury, having a job and blaming it for your inability to do your own art. When you don't have to work, you are left with the horror of facing your own lack of imagination and your own emptiness. A devastating possibility when finally time is your own.

The people who make art their business are mostly imposters.

I used to live in New York, and I know a number of people who have friends who work at galleries. I spent time hanging out with them, going to openings. It was a good way to do research, to hang out and to look at the art that was present.

Appealing workplaces are to be avoided. One wants a room with no view, so imagination can meet memory in the dark.

Careers are not all up, up, up; do good work, continue to grow as an artist, and opportunity finds you. I have no sour grapes.

The fashion world tells me how much they love my work, but they don't hire me very often. Tom Ford did, and he hated it. Naturally, he wanted to Photoshop away the imperfections, which is perfectly understandable. They want their vision.