Chris Ofili

A lot of what Trinidad is about is the feeling of the place, the atmosphere of the place, particularly at night, and the mystery of the forest. ”

I wouldn't say even that I'm a broadly political person. But on occasion, I have felt that I have no choice but to paint something with a strong moral stance. ”

I think visual seduction is really a lovely thing. To be able to look at something and feel you want to get closer and closer to it, and as you get closer to it, the more you drop your guard. ”

I'm black, and it's a very important part of what I am. I'm not embarrassed about it. ”

I was an altar boy and heard the Bible being read out repeatedly. The stories have stayed with me, although they're completely remixed in my head. And often, when I do further reading, I'm quite surprised by the difference between the real story and my memory of the story. ”

The church is not made up of one person but a whole congregation, and they should be able to interact with art without being told what to think. ”

I was brought up a Catholic and was an altar boy. ”

I'm aware that success can overwhelm you. The perception of you can be elevated to such a status that it's not you any more. ”

Moving to Trinidad was a great experiment. I never knew what it would do to my work or even if it would be accepted by people and not be seen as me just falling off the edge of the earth. ”

Love is a blissful state, but it's not a utopia. ”