When developing an idea, I remind myself not to start with compromise. I envision the ideal manifestation of the idea, as if I had no limits in resources, materials, or permission.

In Amsterdam, the river and canals have been central to city life for the last four centuries.

My sculpture thrives in the context of the city, interacting with people in the course of their daily lives.

I believe that public space should be intentional: it should be obvious that you belong.

I pay two full-time assistants in my studio, plus consultants who are architects, engineers, and landscape architects, as well as lighting designers.

I never studied sculpture, engineering or architecture. In fact, after college I applied to seven art schools and was rejected by all seven.

It's good for art to make us think, to give us a shared experience that creates a dialogue, makes us talk to each other, including strangers.

You can't stumble upon something new and wonderful if you don't have time to stumble.

The most powerful part of the art is experiential, yet it's the hardest to describe because it's nonverbal.

Advances in technology have opened up possibilities in the cultural realm throughout history. I'm intrigued by developments in technology - as an artist it gives me a new palette to explore.

The spaces I want to be in are nurturing and soft and saturated with color. Our cities don't have enough of that, and as humans we need it.

LORD ILLINGWORTH: The soul is born old but grows young. That is the comedy of life.MRS ALLONBY: And the body is born young and grows old. That is life's tragedy.

What was the point of trying to run away if people were going to insist on reminding you of what you were running from?

By giving, you get, if you don't give, don't expect.

You can’t believe how bleeding scary the sea is! There’s, like, whales and storms and shit! They don’t bloody tell you that!

Real patriotism is a willingness to challenge the government when it's wrong.

Legend has it that when God created me, he gave me a big distinctive voice, a lot of boldness and no heart.

You ache with it all; and the more mysterious it is, the more you ache.

You must do your damdest and win.

Winning is like shaving - you do it every day or you wind up looking like a bum.

Done right, a performance review is one of the best opportunities to encourage and support high performers and constructively improve your middle- and lower-tier workers.