If my art has nothing to do with people's pain and sorrow, what is 'art' for? — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
I think we cannot have a double standard. We cannot see our art as different from the reality. We cannot use two… — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
I don't think it's worth discussing new directions in the context of Chinese art - there were no old directions, either. Chinese… — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
As a total activity - I practice curating, art, architecture, writing, and publishing all together. I still act as a living creature. — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
New York is a city where you're so alone, you're an individual, you can disappear. You can make something happen. But it's… — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
To protect the right of expression is the central part of an artist's activity... In China many essential rights are lacking, and… — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
This so-called contemporary art is not a form, but a philosophy of society, — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
Being an artist is more of a mindset, a way of seeing things; it is no longer so much about producing something. — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
I'm not a writer, but today I think you have to be everything. As an artist you have an obligation to let… — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
If there is no freedom of expression, then the beauty of life is lost. Participation in a society is not an artistic… — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
I don't think [price] reflects if the work is good or bad.A good artist shouldn't be nervous about that. — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
Art should live in the heart of the people. Ordinary people should have the same ability to understand art as anybody else.… — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
I think everybody deserves freedom. Freedom is such an abstract word, but it's all we need. — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
[Shanghai Biennale] has been my attitude for as long as I've been practicing art and other cultural-related activities. — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
For artists and intellectuals today, what is most needed is to be clear about social responsibility, because that is what most people… — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
Even though everybody who looked at me would call me a Chinese artist, that's the 1980s. New York in the '80s was… — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
As a person, I was born to give out my opinions. By giving out my opinions, I realize who I am. As… — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
I think it’s a responsibility for any artist to protect freedom of expression and to use any way to extend this power. — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
Just look at the statistics: Each university has tens of thousands of applications for students who want to be in art school,… — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
Art is always about overcoming obstacles between the inner condition and the skill for expression. — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
Freedom of expression is a very essential condition for me to make any art. Also, it is an essential value for my… — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
Widespread state control over art and culture has left no room for freedom of expression in the country. For more than 60… — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
If my art has nothing to do with people's pain and sorrow, what is 'art' for? — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
Police in China can do whatever they want; after 81 days in arbitrary detention you clearly realise that they don't have to obey their… — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
China has a rich history that has spanned millennia. It consists of the histories of many nations and regions. — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
This world should be much more open and should be much more free, so the young people would have the chance to exercise the… — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
By participating in the society we live in, we understand our conditions and the way we relate to the world. — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
I see the Beijing National Stadium as an architectural project. I accepted Herzog and De Meuron's invitation to collaborate on the design, and our… — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
I curated this show [Shanghai Biennale ], I was by no means trying to shock people or be controversial. — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
I think we cannot have a double standard. We cannot see our art as different from the reality. We cannot use two different sets… — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
It doesn't matter where I am - China will stay in me. I don't know how far I can still walk on this road… — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
Chinese citizens have never had the right to really express their opinions; in the constitution it says you can, but in the real world… — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
Your own acts tell the world who you are and what kind of society you think it should be. — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image