“I worked in a Chinese restaurant.”

I knew that with a mouth like mine, I just hadda be a star or something.

I think when I was younger, I wanted to be a star, until I became a star, and then it’s a lot of work. It’s work to be a star. I don’t enjoy the stardom part. I only enjoy the creative process.

. . . it is true, even people with painful childhoods. . . grow up to be more interesting people. So, there’s always a positive to a negative.

I don’t care what you say about me. Just be sure to spell my name wrong.

Just imagine how boring life would be if we were all the same. My idea of a perfect world is one in which we really appreciated each other’s differences: Short, tall; Democrat, Republican; black, white; gay, straight-a world in which all of us are equal, but definitely not the same.

The artist as citizen is here to stay.

Just like my father, I’ve always loved education. In school I was a member of the honor society.

As a young woman, I wanted nothing more than to see my name in lights.

Sometimes you resent the people you love and need the most. Love is so fascinating in all its forms, and I think everyone who has ever been a mother will relate to this.

Marlon Brando. The finest actor who ever lived. He was my idol when I was 13. He’s done enough work to last two lifetimes. Everything I do, I think: Can Brando play this with me?

I was kind of a wild child. I wasn’t taught the niceties of life.

I want the best product for my audience, and if I don’t care 100%, who will? It’s my name, my likeness that goes out there.

What reaches an audience is honesty. If you’re saying something truthful that’s supposed to be a funny line, it’s going to be funny. And if it’s supposed to be a serious line, it’s going to be serious. But, I don’t think there’s a distinction between how you play drama or comedy, if it’s based in the truth.

I can’t stand to see red in my profit-or-loss column. I’m Taurus the bull, so I react to red. If I see it, I sell my stocks quickly.

Most awards, you know, they don’t give you unless you go and get them – did you know that? Terribly discouraging.

I don’t think I’m tough in a so called tough way. I’m tough on myself.

Your own acts tell the world who you are and what kind of society you think it should be.

Chinese government is very clearly losing power in every aspect, but trying to fix up all the problems or potential problems.

I think I’m just a traveler. When you walk across a river and there’s no bridge, you build one. I’m used to having to deal with Chinese Communist ideology.

The relationship between the Chinese government and me is like a Cold War.

To call yourself a Chinese artist or woman artist or African artist reflects a certain kind of condition. To me, that is not necessary.

Everyone thinks the Chinese government selected me. Never ever. I was selected by Herzog and de Meuron.

I taught a lot of art history, especially Chinese, Japanese, and Indian. But the painting classes came back. The nudes came back. Not so much the still lifes.

I’m, I guess you could say, the Chinese-speaking, banjo-picking girl.