I think the nice thing about showing work in New York is that other artists come to see it. When you show work in Switzerland or somewhere else, everywhere else seems to be the provinces in a certain way. You wonder what your paintings are doing on the walls and you wonder who's looking at them.

When I made my first film, Basquiat, I think one of the criticisms was that the way I work is episodic. Later, as people started to look at the movies, they started to realize that maybe that's my style. If I could do it better or another way, I guess I would.

I do dream about art, and images come to me in dreams. I am definitely hoping to be in touch with my subconscious. I expect a call any minute.

The thing about living in New York is that there are other artists; that is the most difficult, I think they are the hardest critics.

It doesn't matter what I think I am, it matters what I do.

I think style is a fringe benefit that looks like you made it.

I have a completely romantic idea about making paintings, I guess.