Artist Quotes by Ai Weiwei

Art needs to stand for something.

— Ai Weiwei

Everything is art. Everything is politics.

— Ai Weiwei

I think art is a very important weapon to achieve human freedom

— Ai Weiwei

Because Chinese art is booming, it legitimizes this profession.

— Ai Weiwei

I think my stance and my way of life is my most important art.

— Ai Weiwei

Each year, more people want to become artists.

— Ai Weiwei

Life is art. Art is life. I never separate it.

— Ai Weiwei

The purpose of art is the fight for freedom,

— Ai Weiwei

This so-called contemporary art is not a form, but a philosophy of society,

— Ai Weiwei

If artists cannot speak up for human dignity or rights, then who else will do it?

— Ai Weiwei

Beijing is constructing a 100,000 m2 modern art museum, yet it will not feature any of my work.

— Ai Weiwei

Artists are the worst [people]. They are selfish, self-centred; they don't care what happens.

— Ai Weiwei

We have to give our opinion, we have to say something, or we are a part of it. As an artist I…

— Ai Weiwei

The art always wins. Anything can happen to me, but the art will stay.

— Ai Weiwei

I don't think [price] reflects if the work is good or bad.A good artist shouldn't be nervous about that.

— Ai Weiwei

I curated this show [Shanghai Biennale ], I was by no means trying to shock people or be controversial.

— Ai Weiwei

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

Art should live in the heart of the people. Ordinary people should have the same ability to understand art as anybody else.…

— Ai Weiwei

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

I think art certainly is the vehicle for us to develop any new ideas, to be creative, to extend our imagination, to…

— Ai Weiwei

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

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

My definition of art has always been the same. It is about freedom of expression […] I don’t think anybody can separate…

— Ai Weiwei

To call yourself a Chinese artist or woman artist or African artist reflects a certain kind of condition. To me, that is…

— Ai Weiwei

Of course, people will call you an old artist or young artist, which is just a character of you. But personally, I…

— Ai Weiwei

My definition of art has always been the same. It is about freedom of expression, a new way of communication. It is…

— Ai Weiwei

The museums used to be exhibition halls for government propaganda, and now every city wants to build a museum. A few thousand…

— Ai Weiwei

For artists and intellectuals today, what is most needed is to be clear about social responsibility, because that is what most people…

— Ai Weiwei

Warhol came from an ordinary family and he had a profound understanding about capitalism and material culture. He was probably one of…

— Ai Weiwei

I don't think China has professional museums - not in the past, present, or near future.

— Ai Weiwei

This is a very general understanding of art in China, that being an artist can make you money and turn you into…

— Ai Weiwei

If my art has nothing to do with people's pain and sorrow, what is 'art' for?

— Ai Weiwei

I lived there [ in New York City] as an artist, but never as a Chinese artist.

— Ai Weiwei

In China, we don't have any contemporary art museums. Until a few years ago, we didn't even have a gallery.

— Ai Weiwei

Life is art. Art is life. I never separate it. I don’t feel that much anger. I equally have a lot of…

— Ai Weiwei

Being an artist is more of a mindset, a way of seeing things; it is no longer so much about producing something.

— Ai Weiwei

[Shanghai Biennale] has been my attitude for as long as I've been practicing art and other cultural-related activities.

— Ai Weiwei

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

I’m an artist who is always looking for what is possible. I’m always looking to extend the boundaries.

— Ai Weiwei

Art is always about overcoming obstacles between the inner condition and the skill for expression.

— Ai Weiwei