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

I hope that my work expresses my worldview and encourages people to exchange ideas.

For artists and intellectuals today, what is most needed is to be clear about social responsibility, because that is what most people automatically give up. Just to protect yourself as an individual is very political. You don't have to march on Tiananmen, but you do have to be clear-minded, to find your own means of expression.

Widespread state control over art and culture has left no room for freedom of expression in the country. For more than 60 years, anyone with a dissenting opinion has been suppressed. Chinese art is merely a product: it avoids any meaningful engagement. There is no larger context. Its only purpose is to charm viewers with its ambiguity.

I wouldn’t say I’ve become more radical: I was born radical.

Warhol influenced me because of his writing. If I had never read his writings and interviews, I would never have understood his work.

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