“And the kind of condition he had when he was in this society – the kind of mistreatment society gave him.”

Maybe [success] is because I’m in China and I’m more open. Maybe it’s my independent behavior, or because I participated in certain projects. I have no idea.

As a person, I was born to give out my opinions. By giving out my opinions, I realize who I am.

I was an illegal alien for many, many years. I couldn’t move. If I moved I could not even get a visa back.

We grew up in a very material-lacking socialist society, but today China is a capitalist society. It’s very materialistic. It’s full of desire and luxury goods.

I never had secure, belonging feelings with this society [in China].

[Therefore] holding a trial outside the court. I think that is fairness, that is justice, that is a civil society. Otherwise call it an evil society because everything is hidden.

Liberty is about our rights to question everything.

The society was so different [in China] – it was a feudalistic society. It didn’t come to a point of industrial revolution until twenty years ago.

China restricts the society’s freedom of speech. The Communist Party imposes these limits because it lacks confidence towards the future and has no ideals.

I think by shattering it we can create a new form, a new way to look at what is valuable – how we decide what is valuable.

The museums used to be exhibition halls for government propaganda, and now every city wants to build a museum.

The people will always have the last word – even if someone has a very weak, quiet voice. Such power will collapse because of a whisper.

To give a price to an artwork, no matter how high or low, is always absurd. It’s not something that can be measured by money or by certain numbers.

We are living in a popular culture where everything is overexposed.

My definition of art has always been the same. It is about freedom of expression. I don’t think anybody can separate art from politics. The intention to separate [the two] is itself a very political intention.

To express yourself needs a reason, but expressing yourself is the reason.

I gave my life to become the person I am right now. Was it worth it?

I had a great time being a salesman because of the pitches that I gave when I was selling shoes.

The Hindu religions gave me the impression of a vast well into which one plunges in order to grasp the reflection of the sun.

The most satisfying thing in life is to have been able to give a large part of one’s self to others.

My father gave me some Jack Nicklaus MacGregor clubs when I was six years old. He cut down some of the shafts, but they were men’s clubs, so they were heavy.

My father gave me some advice when I was very young – whatever someone tells you in the future, don’t forget Pele is the best.

The city gave us a goodbye party, and it lasted a week.

What if you gave someone a gift, and they neglected to thank you for it – would you be likely to give them another?