Maya Lin

I probably spent the first 20 years of my life wanting to be as American as possible. Through my 20s, and into my 30s, I began to become aware of how so much of my art and architecture has a decidedly Eastern character.

Even though I build buildings and I pursue my architecture, I pursue it as an artist. I deliberately keep a tiny studio. I don't want to be an architectural firm. I want to remain an artist.

Warmth isn't what minimalists are thought to have.

I try to give people a different way of looking at their surroundings. That's art to me.

Some of your teachers are actually closer in age to you than you think.