I think everybody deserves freedom. Freedom is such an abstract word, but it's all we need. — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
This so-called contemporary art is not a form, but a philosophy of society, — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
I lived there [ in New York City] as an artist, but never as a Chinese artist. — 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
We have to give our opinion, we have to say something, or we are a part of it. As an artist I… — 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
It became like a symbolic thing, to be “an artist.” After Duchamp, I realized that being an artist is more about a… — 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
I have people working together, doing different things: architecture, art installation, photography, publishing, and curatorial works and design. — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
Beijing is constructing a 100,000 m2 modern art museum, yet it will not feature any of my work. — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
I think art certainly is the vehicle for us to develop any new ideas, to be creative, to extend our imagination, to… — 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
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
People are always wondering if I am an artist or political activist or politician. Maybe I'll just clearly tell you: Whatever I… — 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
My definition of art has always been the same. It is about freedom of expression […] I don’t think anybody can separate… — 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
Of course, people will call you an old artist or young artist, which is just a character of you. But personally, I… — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
Warhol came from an ordinary family and he had a profound understanding about capitalism and material culture. He was probably one of… — 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
I'm doing quite a few things now. In one day, I will go to Kassel, Germany, for a documentary project I've been… — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
I'm always interested in people who are not orientated in art circles to become part of it. — Ai Weiwei Copy Share Image
All the rich people collect traditional Chinese art. So it's very natural for Chinese families to still see art as the highest… — 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
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
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
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
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
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
[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
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
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
This is a very general understanding of art in China, that being an artist can make you money and turn you into… — 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
![“I lived there [ in New York City] as an artist, but never as a Chinese artist.” quote by Ai Weiwei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b76/ai-weiwei-824_art_i-lived-there-in-new-york-city-as-an-art_1363467.jpg)
![“I don't think [price] reflects if the work is good or bad.A good artist shouldn't be nervous about that.” quote by Ai Weiwei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e06/ai-weiwei-824_art_i-don-t-think-price-reflects-if-the-work_657229.jpg)
![“My definition of art has always been the same. It is about freedom of expression […] I don’t think anybody can separate art from politics. The intention to separate [the two] is itself a very political intention.” quote by Ai Weiwei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f07/ai-weiwei-824_art_my-definition-of-art-has-always-been-the_1900659.jpg)
![“[Shanghai Biennale] has been my attitude for as long as I've been practicing art and other cultural-related activities.” quote by Ai Weiwei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/23c/ai-weiwei-824_activity_shanghai-biennale-has-been-my-attitude-f_739498.jpg)
![“I curated this show [Shanghai Biennale ], I was by no means trying to shock people or be controversial.” quote by Ai Weiwei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/886/ai-weiwei-824_controversial_i-curated-this-show-shanghai-biennale-i_66816.jpg)
