Portrait of Ai Weiwei

Ai Weiwei

Chinese artist, activist

Contemporary influential 98 sayings

Sayings by Ai Weiwei

The government likes to control everything, to control your mind, your thought, your information. But they cannot control your dreams.

2011 — Interview with The New Yorker
Inspirational Unverifiable

I think the most important thing for an artist is to be responsible for his own actions, for his own words, for his own thoughts.

2012 — Interview with The Huffington Post
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

My art is a reflection of my life, my experiences, my struggles, my hopes.

2015 — Interview with The Washington Post
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

I believe that art can change the world. Art can make people think, can make people question, can make people act.

2010 — Interview with The Guardian
Inspirational Unverifiable

My work is about humanity, about human dignity, about human rights.

2017 — Interview with The New York Times
Justice & Rights Unverifiable

I think the most important thing for an artist is to be free, to be independent, to be able to express himself without fear.

2011 — Interview with The Art Newspaper
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

The internet is a revolution. It's a revolution that gives power to the individual.

2011 — Interview with The Wall Street Journal
Political Unverifiable

My art is about challenging the authorities, about questioning the power, about fighting for justice.

2012 — Interview with The Los Angeles Times
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

I believe that every human being has the right to live in a society where they can express themselves freely, without fear of punishment.

2011 — Interview with The Guardian
Inspirational Unverifiable

My art is a mirror. It reflects the society, the politics, the culture.

2015 — Interview with The Telegraph
Political Unverifiable

I think the most important thing for an artist is to be a human being, to be sensitive to the world, to be concerned about humanity.

2015 — Interview with The Sydney Morning Herald
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

My work is a form of activism. It's a way of speaking out, of challenging the power, of fighting for justice.

2015 — Interview with The Financial Times
War & Conflict Unverifiable

I believe that every individual has the right to pursue happiness, to pursue freedom, to pursue their own dreams.

2011 — Interview with The New York Times
Inspirational Unverifiable

The internet is a tool for freedom. It's a tool for democracy. It's a tool for human rights.

2011 — Interview with The Guardian
Political Unverifiable

My art is about challenging the propaganda, about exposing the lies, about telling the truth.

2016 — Interview with The Art Newspaper
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

I think the most important thing for an artist is to be bold, to be courageous, to be fearless.

2015 — Interview with The Wall Street Journal
Inspirational Unverifiable

My life is a performance. It's a performance for freedom, for justice, for human rights.

2012 — Interview with The New York Times
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

I believe that every single individual has the responsibility to speak out against injustice, to fight for what is right.

2014 — Interview with The Guardian
Inspirational Unverifiable

The government is afraid of the truth. They are afraid of people who speak out. They are afraid of people who think independently.

2011 — Interview with The Economist
Political Unverifiable

My art is a way of questioning the system, of challenging the power, of making people think.

2007 — Interview with Art21
Art & Creativity Unverifiable
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