37 Quotes by Ai Weiwei
Ai Weiwei is a Chinese contemporary artist and activist who is known for his provocative and politically charged works that challenge the status quo. His art spans various mediums, including sculpture, photography, and installation, and often explores themes such as human rights, freedom of speech, and government oppression. In addition to his artistic endeavors, Ai Weiwei has also been a vocal critic of the Chinese government and has faced censorship, surveillance, and even imprisonment for his activism. Despite these challenges, he has continued to push boundaries and use his platform to raise awareness about important social issues. (Bio)
Ai Weiwei Quotes
Censorship is saying: 'I'm the one who says the last sentence. Whatever you say, the conclusion is mine.' But the internet is like a tree that is growing. The people will always have the last word.
Creativity is the power to reject the past, to change the status quo, and to seek new potential. Simply put, aside from using one's imagination - perhaps more importantly - creativity is the power to act.
Your own acts tell the world who you are and what kind of society you think it should be.
A small act is worth a million thoughts.
Creativity is part of human nature. It can only be untaught.
The art always wins. Anything can happen to me, but the art will stay.
The world is not changing if you don’t shoulder the burden of responsibility.
Maybe being powerful means to be fragile.
Everything is art. Everything is politics.
The purpose of art is the fight for freedom.
I always want people to be confused, to be shocked or realize something later.
Liberty is about the right to question everything.
If there is no freedom of expression, then the beauty of life is lost. Participation in a society is not an artistic choice, it’s a human need.
Being an artist is more of a mindset, a way of seeing things; it is no longer so much about producing something.
Censorship is saying: "I'm the one who says the last sentence. Whatever you say, the conclusion is mine." But the internet is like a tree that is growing. The people will always have the last word – even if someone has a very weak, quiet voice. Such power will collapse because of a whisper.
Once you've tasted freedom, it stays in your heart and no one can take it. Then, you can be more powerful than a whole country.
I have to respect my life, and free expression is part of my life. I can never really silence myself.
Creativity is the power to act.
If there is no free speech, every single life has lived in vain
No state or society can claim to have established human rights once and for all.
I wouldn’t say I’ve become more radical: I was born radical.
China restricts the society's freedom of speech. The Communist Party imposes these limits because it lacks confidence towards the future and has no ideals. Nowadays, China is experiencing the detrimental effects of such decisions. Its citizens have no creativity.
The so-called culture nowadays is only a fake one with a superficial front. It is an empty lie.
Self-censorship is insulting to the self. Timidity is a hopeless way forward.
This so-called contemporary art is not a form, but a philosophy of society.
I want people to see their own power.
During the days in detention, I thought most about the moon.
To call yourself a Chinese artist or woman artist or African artist reflects a certain kind of condition. To me, that is not necessary.
Without freedom of speech, there is no modern world, just a barbaric one.
Say what you say plainly, and then take responsibility for it.
Liberty is about our rights to question everything.
To express yourself needs a reason, but expressing yourself is the reason.
There are no outdoor sports as graceful as throwing stones at a dictatorship.
I am everywhere and I am nowhere. That's the beauty of the Internet Age.
My definition of art has always been the same. It is about freedom of expression, a new way of communication. It is never about exhibiting in museums or about hanging it on the wall.
My typical day is I wake up and appreciate that I can still wake up.
Life is much more interesting when you make a little bit of effort.
― Ai Weiwei Quotes
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
