In the studio, I don't do a lot of work that requires repetitive activity. I spend a lot of time looking and thinking and then try to find the most efficient way to get what I want, whether it's making a drawing or a sculpture, or casting plaster or whatever.

Purchased in a 50–50 deal by François Pinault and LACMA. For Beginners (all the combinations of the thumb and fingers) (2010) – video depicting Nauman’s hands enacting all the possible combinations of the four fingers and thumb – 31 positions in all – accompanied by his verbal enumeration of each finger combination.

Nauman lives near Galisteo New Mexico. Bruce Nauman (born December 6 1941) is a contemporary American artist.