“You start to see the society, how it functions, how it works. Then you have a lot of criticism about how it works.”

For years, I refused to go to any openings, not even my own.

I was in the most restricted prison in China, the most tough. The design of the prison is modeled for internal crimes of the Communist party, so it’s like a mafia family’s law. It’s independent to the law this nation openly applies.

I grew up in a desert, which has no kind of imagination.

Being an artist is more of a mindset, a way of seeing things; it is no longer so much about producing something.

We literally lived underground. We dug a hole and lived there for years. My father cleaned public toilets, even though he was a highly respected poet.

As a human being, member of society, you must clearly state your mind. It’s a responsibility. It is the way you identify yourself otherwise you don’t know who you are and why you are here.

During the days in detention, I thought most about the moon.

I have to respect my life, and free expression is part of my life. I can never really silence myself.

Even if there have been setbacks during these past years, China is changing. China’s society is opening.

I always want people to be confused, to be shocked or realize something later.

Freedom of expression is a very essential condition for me to make any art. Also, it is an essential value for my life. I have to protect this right and also to fight for the possibility.

The tragic reality of today is reflected in the true plight of our spiritual existence. We are spineless and cannot stand straight.

The fantasy we had with pearls was always so luxurious and unique with a kind of rareness.

A nation that has no music and no fairytales is a tragedy.

Ordinary people should have the same ability to understand art as anybody else. I don’t think art is elite or mysterious. I don’t think anybody can separate art from politics.

Everyone of us is a potential convict.

Progress, progress is the law of nature; under God it shall be our eternal guiding star.

I’m going where my heart will take me, I’ve got faith to believe I can do anything I’ve got strength of the soul, And no one’s gonna bend or break me, I can reach any star I’ve got faith I’ve got faith, Faith of the heart.

I knew he could be my North Star when he made me feel something after being numb for so long.

There may be a brighter star. But through my eyes the light of you is all I see.

You little star that shines so bright you make the whole sky look glorious from a million miles away.

I don’t want to be an action star, an action star’s life is so short. I want my life to get longer, I want my career to get longer.

Stars and blossoming fruit-trees: utter permanence and extreme fragility give an equal sense of eternity.

I have stretched ropes from steeple to steeple; garlands from window to window; golden chains from star to star, and I dance.