It's possible I am the only art critic that a lot of people read. And maybe Robert Hughes, if he's still writing.

Beauty makes us more like ourselves and more like each other.

A lot of writers and artists are like chefs who eat their own cooking in the kitchen and then deliver an empty plate with assurances that it's great.

I do have pleasure when I'm writing. I mean, I'm aware of pleasure. And sometimes I make myself laugh, with a joke or something; or I feel gleeful.

To me, the greatest artists are almost entirely non-verbal.

Everything I've learned about art was (a) because I was actually interested, or (b) I was actually interested in covering my ass because of what I was writing about.

I have a total responsibility to the reader. The reader has to trust me and never feel betrayed.