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Now that we do not have priests and philosophers any more, artists are the most important people in the world.

I don't use the word 'artists' lightly.

In 19th-century France, artists were part of government. Artists are very sensitive to their time. They're very thoughtful people - it makes sense to hear what they have to say.

But I really want to be an artist, so therefore I have to live a little bit like a monk.

Artists are the people that no matter what, pick up the pen, pick up a paintbrush. They take the time to translate what is happening to create something that resonates deeply with the rest of the people that are caught in the middle of their own reality.

Actually, I don't think there's anyone that represents the artists, except the artists themselves.

In aristocratic societies, rich people used to commission exquisite paintings for their walls.

I've always believed that the artiste is the one who has his pulse on the society and who, in many ways, represents the conscience of society in terms of engaging standards that we need to live by.

You don't see artists sitting around a lot, talking about ideology. They find out what they believe, and what they're doing, by doing it.