The process is the point for me. It is the only thing that I can somewhat control. I may have an idea in my head but the audience may not get it. Once the idea is out of me and into a material I can disconnect. The sculpture is now it's own thing. I need not hold on to it and can't control its faith. How others view it is between them and it. I have already left the picture and can move on to the next thing.
I have had to learn the performance part because I also like my solitude.. I have come to think of it like a jazz improv session where even the audience is part of the creation. To work with an audience helps to demystify the creative process. There can be a lot of fumbling in the dark until you hit the right note and it can be nice to have people around at that moment to share it with.
This piece is maybe not a great example of what I am talking about but I think you get where I am coming from.