I get the feeling that people from outside the world of contemporary art see it as deserving of mockery, in an emperor's-new-clothes sort of way. I think that's not right and that it's just because they don't understand the discourse.

People don't like contemporary art, but all art starts life as contemporary - I can't really see a difference.

I think the art world heightens the intensity of desires for inclusion, and the humiliations of exclusion, which is why it's a great place to circulate when you are in the lucky position, as I am, of not wanting or needing anything from anyone.

I don't have any outside view of myself, and if I did, I would probably be creatively inhibited. I just write in the way that I write.

I love contemporary art, although I wouldn't want a pickled shark in my house.

Contemporary art will help me to modernise our society.