I am not a representative of anything. When art historians or critics or the public put somebody in a drawer like this, it has a tranquilizing, paralyzing effect. Artists are individuals. They have ideas, and the conventions for one's self as an individual are not for a group. There are always those who follow the group, but they belong in the margins. I refuse to be placed within, or added to, one particular school.

The artist is not responsible to any one. His social role is asocial... his only responsibility consists in an attitude to the work he does.

I remember that Michael Werner told me about a famous collector, and Michael set up an appointment for us to meet. This man looked around the room and at my pictures. Then he said, "Young man, why are you doing these horrible things? Look out the window. There are nice girls out there. It's springtime. Look at how beautiful the world can be. You'll ruin your health by smoking so much and doing such tortured things."

A painter doesn't need any talent. In fact, it's better not to have it.

In a place like the Guggenheim, I would like to be a representative of arte povera. This would be my ideal.

I always feel attacked when I'm asked about my painting.

An object painted upside down is suitable for painting because it is unsuitable as an object.