My definition of art has always been the same. It is about freedom of expression. I don’t think anybody can separate art from politics. The intention to separate [the two] is itself a very political intention.

Through my work and ways of expression, I strive to engage in dialogue with the society that I am living in.

I think optimism is whether you are still exhilarated by life, whether you are curious, whether you still believe there is possibility.

If there is no free speech, every single life has lived in vain

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.

It's always the rich and there's plenty to waste, yet still China has a lot of people living in very spare, poor conditions.

China and the U.S. are two societies with very different attitudes towards opinion and criticism. In China, I am constantly under surveillance. Even my slightest, most innocuous move can - and often is - censored by Chinese authorities.