I have never understood, for instance, why some people see contemporary art as divided between 'painting' and 'conceptual art', as though this represented a genuine division.

'Understanding' art is like having a sense of humour - if you don't have one, no amount of explanation is going to make you laugh.

I thought the objects we value least because they were ubiquitous were actually the most extraordinary.

I try to make images that have the immediate presence we take for granted in objects - a chair, a shoe, a book, a Judd - and compose them like sentences.

You can see in my paintings, I've taken away the context, I've taken away the shadows, I've taken away expression, I've taken away the personal, and yet so much remains!

The art world, of all worlds, has room for everyone.

I am trying to present objects in the simplest way possible, and I don't want to supply too much context.

Whatever happens to the art world, art will go on regardless. As for obscurity, it looms just over the horizon beckoning us all. Why worry.

I think the best approach is not to be too much like the thing that they are referring to, see it as a guide.

Art is more to do with observation than invention.

If things are too similar, the dialogue is not very interesting. If you put in contrast, big and small, abstract and representational, you set up the possibility of a discourse.

moments of something this good, this unexpected and off his usual path, they always dredged up old shit, like somehow happiness came with sorrow as its anchor.

Gin and whisky cost so much more. Oblivion and courage could no longer be purchased for the price of an old song.

You seem so clear about who you are. So certain that you are just right as you are, that for all your intelligence and maybe in spite of it, you never seem to need a second opinion.

I tend to look at potential investments from the standpoint of whether it is a valuable contribution to society.

June [Hillary] is a very strong influence in my life and particularly now in my ancient years there is no doubt at all: if there's a decision to be made, quite often June is the one who makes it.

My motto is to go wild on the accessories - the belts, the hair clips, the jewelery.

Because good writing in a TV cartoon is so rare, I think the animation on The Simpsons is often overlooked.

I try not to plan that too much.

One should absorb the colour of life, but one should never remember its details. Details are always vulgar.

I'll close my eyes really, really tight and make you all go away.