Twentieth-century art may start with nothing, but it flourishes by virtue of its belief in itself, in the possibility of read more

Twentieth-century art may start with nothing, but it flourishes by virtue of its belief in itself, in the possibility of control over what seems essentially uncontrollable, in the coherence of the inchoate, and in its ability to create its own values.

The sculptor produces the beautiful statue by chipping away such parts of the marble block as are not needed - read more

The sculptor produces the beautiful statue by chipping away such parts of the marble block as are not needed - it is a process of elimination.

All autobiography is self-indulgent.

All autobiography is self-indulgent.

I invent nothing, I rediscover.

I invent nothing, I rediscover.

For me, painting is a way to forget life. It is a cry in the night, a strangled laugh.

For me, painting is a way to forget life. It is a cry in the night, a strangled laugh.

Art produces ugly things which frequently become more beautiful with time. Fashion, on the other hand, produces beautiful things which read more

Art produces ugly things which frequently become more beautiful with time. Fashion, on the other hand, produces beautiful things which always become ugly with time.

I remember being handed a score composed by Mozart at the age of eleven. What could I say? I felt read more

I remember being handed a score composed by Mozart at the age of eleven. What could I say? I felt like de Kooning, who was asked to comment on a certain abstract painting, and answered in the negative. He was then told it was the work of a celebrated monkey. 'That's different. For a monkey, it's terrific.' - "London Magazine", March, 1967.

Modern art is what happens when painters stop looking at girls and persuade themselves that they have a better idea.

Modern art is what happens when painters stop looking at girls and persuade themselves that they have a better idea.

To send light into the darkness of men's hearts - such is the duty of the artist.

To send light into the darkness of men's hearts - such is the duty of the artist.