I used to watch 'Top of the Pops' when I was a kid and say 'Yeah!' or 'Boo!' at every single song. So there was nothing in the middle. You brutally put it on one side or another.

Being best is a false goal, you have to measure success on your own terms.

I can’t wait to get into a position to make really bad art and get away with it.

Great art - or good art - is when you look at it, experience it and it stays in your mind. I don't think conceptual art and traditional art are all that different.

In an artwork you're always looking for artistic decisions, so an ashtray is perfect. An ashtray has got life and death.

Whenever I've been well-known or hitting the press, I've always had to get my credit card out to prove I'm Damien Hirst.

I think an ashtray is the most fantastically real thing.