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
Controversial Unverifiable

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

2011 — Interview with The New Yorker
Controversial 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
Controversial Unverifiable

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

2013 — Interview with The Independent
Controversial Unverifiable

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

2013 — Interview with NPR
Controversial Unverifiable

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

2015 — Interview with The Telegraph
Controversial Unverifiable

The biggest challenge for China is freedom of speech.

2015 — Interview with The Guardian
Controversial 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
Controversial Unverifiable

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

2016 — Interview with Artnet News
Controversial Unverifiable

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

2016 — Interview with The Art Newspaper
Controversial Unverifiable

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

2017 — Interview with The Guardian
Controversial Unverifiable

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

2017 — Interview with The Washington Post
Controversial Unverifiable

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

2018 — Interview with The Atlantic
Controversial Unverifiable

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

2018 — Interview with The New Statesman
Controversial Unverifiable

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

2019 — Interview with The Guardian
Controversial Unverifiable

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

2019 — Interview with The Financial Times
Controversial Unverifiable

My art is about challenging power, about questioning authority.

2020 — Interview with The Times
Controversial Unverifiable

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

2020 — Interview with The Independent
Controversial Unverifiable

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

2020 — Interview with CNN
Controversial Unverifiable

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

2021 — Interview with The New York Times
Controversial Unverifiable