Ai Weiwei Art Quotations

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

People are always wondering if I am an artist or political activist or politician. Maybe I'll just clearly tell you: Whatever I do is not art. Let's say it is just objects or materials, movies or writing, but not art, OK?

Widespread state control over art and culture has left no room for freedom of expression in the country. For more than 60 years, anyone with a dissenting opinion has been suppressed. Chinese art is merely a product: it avoids any meaningful engagement. There is no larger context. Its only purpose is to charm viewers with its ambiguity.

As a person, I was born to give out my opinions. By giving out my opinions, I realize who I am. As long as I can communicate, I'm not so lonely. If I cannot travel, or do art, or have company, if they take away all my belongings, it doesn't matter at all.

The Chinese art world does not exist. In a society that restricts individual freedoms and violates human rights, anything that calls itself creative or independent is a pretence. It is impossible for a totalitarian society to create anything with passion and imagination.

China is an old nation with a colourful history. Its booming economy has triggered an appetite and a curiosity around the world for its art and culture, one that continues to grow. I can, however, tell people that it is a show with no actor.

I'm most embarrassed at my art shows, even though I don't show it.

I don't think it's worth discussing new directions in the context of Chinese art - there were no old directions, either. Chinese art has never had any clear orientation.

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. Art should live in the heart of the people. Ordinary people should have the same ability to understand art as anybody else. I don’t think art is elite or mysterious. I don’t think anybody can separate art from politics. The intention to separate art from politics is itself a very political intention.

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

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

Everything is art. Everything is politics.

I think everybody deserves freedom. Freedom is such an abstract word, but it's all we need.

Art should live in the heart of the people. Ordinary people should have the same ability to understand art as anybody else. I don't think art is elite or mysterious.

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

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

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

So-called Chinese art and culture is under control of the Party. They exist to serve the official agenda. I call it fake art and culture.

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

Art needs to stand for something.

I always want to design a frame that’s open to everyone. I don’t see art as a secret code.

The purpose of art is the fight for freedom,

My work is always a ready-made... cultural, political, or social, and also it could be art - to make people re-look at what we have done, its original position, to create new possibilities.

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

Freedom of expression is a very essential condition for me to make any art. Also, it is an essential value for my life. I have to protect this right and also to fight for the possibility.

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

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

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 very different to make something happen in the art world.

I'm always interested in people who are not orientated in art circles to become part of it.

I think of art as coming from daily life, daily experience. I think it's very important not to have it become work for some kind of elite circle.