Portrait of Ai Weiwei

Ai Weiwei

Chinese artist, activist

Contemporary influential 98 sayings

Sayings by Ai Weiwei

My art is not about politics. My art is about life, about human rights, about freedom.

2012 — Interview with The Wall Street Journal
Political Unverifiable

The internet is a weapon. It's a tool for freedom. It's a tool for expression.

2011 — Interview with The New Yorker
War & Violence Unverifiable

I think humor is a very important part of my work. It's a way to deal with very serious issues.

2012 — Interview with The Guardian
General Unverifiable

My art is a mirror. It reflects what is happening in society.

2013 — Interview with The Independent
General Unverifiable

I believe that even if you are a small individual, you can make a difference.

2013 — Interview with NPR
General Unverifiable

I don't think I'm brave. I just do what I think is right.

2015 — Interview with The Telegraph
General Unverifiable

The biggest challenge for China is freedom of speech.

2015 — Interview with The Guardian
General Unverifiable

I always say that if you don't speak up, you are not a human being. You are just a slave.

2015 — Interview with The New York Times
Social & Racial Unverifiable

My art is about showing people the truth, and letting them make their own judgments.

2016 — Interview with Artnet News
General Unverifiable

I believe in the power of the individual. I believe that every individual can make a change.

2016 — Interview with The Art Newspaper
General Unverifiable

The refugee crisis is a human crisis. It's a crisis of humanity.

2017 — Interview with The Guardian
General Unverifiable

I think art should be a mirror to society, to reflect what's happening.

2017 — Interview with The Washington Post
General Unverifiable

The world is becoming more and more authoritarian. And we have to fight against it.

2018 — Interview with The Atlantic
General Unverifiable

I believe that every individual has the right to be free, and to express themselves.

2018 — Interview with The New Statesman
General Unverifiable

Art is a way to communicate, to share ideas, to make people think.

2019 — Interview with The Guardian
General Unverifiable

I think the internet is a very important tool for democracy, for freedom of speech.

2019 — Interview with The Financial Times
General Unverifiable

My art is about challenging power, about questioning authority.

2020 — Interview with The Times
General Unverifiable

I don't think art can change the world, but it can change people's minds.

2020 — Interview with The Independent
General Unverifiable

The pandemic has shown how fragile our society is, and how important it is to have freedom of speech.

2020 — Interview with CNN
General Unverifiable

I think my work is always about human dignity, about human values.

2021 — Interview with The New York Times
General Unverifiable
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