My mother became much older when I came out (ed's note: of detention). She had problems with her hearing and high blood pressure. But they still support me.

It is not an easy job to govern China, I am aware of that. There are crises and emergencies all the time, we might not even be aware of some. But I am afraid we'll have to wait and observe precisely what the government is up to.

I never really read Allen Ginsberg poetry, even though I have a book he gave me.

Everyone thinks the Chinese government selected me. Never ever. I was selected by Herzog and de Meuron.

I think we cannot have a double standard. We cannot see our art as different from the reality. We cannot use two different sets of judgment.

Everything is art. Everything is politics.

If artists cannot speak up for human dignity or rights, then who else will do it?