I like Francis Bacon best, because Francis Bacon has terrific problems, and he knows that he is not going to solve them, but he knows also that he can escape from day to day and stay alive, and he does that because his work gives him a kick.

I found in rules of mathematics a peace and a trust that I could not place in human beings. This sublimation was total and remained total.

I have been to hell and back, and let me tell you, it was wonderful.

The twentieth-century artist who uses symbols is alienated because the system of symbols is a private one. After you have dealt with the symbols you are still private, you are still lonely, because you are not sure anyone will understand it except yourself. The ransom of privacy is that you are alone.

Surrealism is anathema for me. Because the surrealists made a joke of everything. And I consider life a tragedy.

It is not so much where my motivation comes from but rather how it manages to survive.

I like Francis Bacon best, because Francis Bacon has terrific problems, and he knows that he is not going to solve them, but he knows also that he can escape from day to day and stay alive, and he does that because his work gives him a kick.