This so-called contemporary art is not a form, but a philosophy of society.

For years, I refused to go to any openings, not even my own.

My childhood was quite extreme. Sometimes I was so weak I could not stand up. But now I am so strong. Life is unpredictable

Even though everybody who looked at me would call me a Chinese artist, that's the 1980s. New York in the '80s was not so interesting. I think it's quite narrow-minded. There wasn't much encouragement or opportunities for any artist - not just Chinese artists.

Beijing is constructing a 100,000 m2 modern art museum, yet it will not feature any of my work.

I never saw [Allen Ginsberg] as some kind of crazy figure.

Life is art. Art is life. I never separate it. I don’t feel that much anger. I equally have a lot of joy.