When I look at the objects that I draw, it seems to me so obvious about the contemporary world - these are our world.

I don't like the idea of nationalism, but on the other hand, I do see that there is a difference between British art, German art and Chinese art. This is because of the history, because each country has different history and each country reads and teaches that history differently.

For many years I hoped to have an exhibition in China, because of my family connection.

It is very important to develop the thing that you are naturally good at, that you are truly interested in.

When I was a very young student I loved and admired the work of Sam Beckett, who is famously pessimistic, and whose writing is an extraordinary examination of emptiness. I wanted to be like Beckett. I don't have the same attitude toward the world, I'm naturally optimistic, and so of course I could never be like Beckett. You can't force yourself to become like someone you admire.

You can see in my paintings, I've taken away the context, I've taken away the shadows, I've taken away expression, I've taken away the personal, and yet so much remains!

As an artist you are free to use any image, any style, any idea from any culture and any period of history.