Tears, tantrums and Turner Prize titbits: Lynn Barber on the messy art of interviewing artists

In a career spanning more than 50 years, the UK journalist Lynn Barber has interviewed numerous artists, writing in the last line of her new book A Little Art Education that 'they have this consuming passion that will last them all their lives.'

I've increasingly been impressed by artists' courage and willingness to take risks. Although Tracey [Emin] or Sarah Lucas are successful now, there were great periods of their career when they weren't earning anything but they still kept at it.

Howard Hodgkin's habit of bursting into tears was, I found, excruciatingly embarrassing. I'd say something wrong and he'd start blubbing away with really shoulder-shaking tears.

Read at The Art Newspaper - International art news and events