Ai Weiwei Quotes

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.

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.

I think optimism is whether you are still exhilarated by life, whether you are curious, whether you still believe there is possibility.

The purpose of art is the fight for freedom.

I always want people to be confused, to be shocked or realize something later.

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

Liberty is about the right to question everything.

Choices after waking up: To be true or to lie? To take action or be brainwashed? To be free or be jailed?

Stupidity can win for a moment, but it can never really succeed because the nature of humans is to seek freedom. Rulers can delay that freedom, but they cannot stop it.

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.

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.

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

Imagine one day, the hateful world around you collapses. And it is your attitude, words and actions that put an end to it. Will you be excited?

I have to respect my life, and free expression is part of my life. I can never really silence myself.

If there is no free speech, every single life has lived in vain

Creativity is the power to act.

No state or society can claim to have established human rights once and for all.

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

No outdoor sports can be more elegant than throwing stones at autocracy; no melees can be more exciting than those in cyberspace.

I wouldn’t say I’ve become more radical: I was born radical.

The tragic reality of today is reflected in the true plight of our spiritual existence. We are spineless and cannot stand straight.

I am very much interested in the so-called useless object. I mean, it takes perfect craftsmanship, beautiful material carefully measured and crafted, but at the same time it’s really useless.

Every day I'm learning something new from the practice. It's very rewarding.

Life is never guaranteed to be safe, so we better use it while we are still in good condition.

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.

If human rights are supposed to have any meaning, then they have to be discussed openly.

I think by shattering it we can create a new form, a new way to look at what is valuable — how we decide what is valuable.

I want people to see their own power.

During the days in detention, I thought most about the moon.

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

Everyone of us is a potential convict.

To call yourself a Chinese artist or woman artist or African artist reflects a certain kind of condition. To me, that is not necessary.

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

I think by not letting young people be fully informed, how can they have energy and passion and the right picture of the world? I think that's the true crime.

The American experience influenced my understanding of individuality, basic human rights, freedom of expression and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.

Everyone wants an iPhone, but it would be impossible to design an iPhone in China because it's not a product; it's an understanding of human nature.

Without freedom of speech, there is no modern world, just a barbaric one.

Liberty is about our rights to question everything.

Say what you say plainly, and then take responsibility for it.

By participating in the society we live in, we understand our conditions and the way we relate to the world.