Ai Weiwei Quotes

Creativity is the power to reject the past, to change the status quo, and to seek new potential. Simply put, aside from using one's imagination - perhaps more importantly - creativity is the power to act.

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.

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.

Whenever there is injustice, there is tension. But in China it is very hard to release your anger unless you burn yourself or you jump from a bridge. In a society where there is no freedom of the press, it is difficult for victims to be noticed.

For artists and intellectuals today, what is most needed is to be clear about social responsibility, because that is what most people automatically give up. Just to protect yourself as an individual is very political. You don't have to march on Tiananmen, but you do have to be clear-minded, to find your own means of expression.

Censorship is saying: "I'm the one who says the last sentence. Whatever you say, the conclusion is mine." But the internet is like a tree that is growing. The people will always have the last word – even if someone has a very weak, quiet voice. Such power will collapse because of a whisper.

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.

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?

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

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.

China restricts the society's freedom of speech. The Communist Party imposes these limits because it lacks confidence towards the future and has no ideals. Nowadays, China is experiencing the detrimental effects of such decisions. Its citizens have no creativity.

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

Technology is a liberation. I think the information age probably is the best thing to happen to the human race in human evolution. Now you have the equal opportunity to equip yourself through information and knowledge and express yourself as an independent mind.

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.

We should also leave behind discrimination, because it is narrow-minded and ignorant, denies contact and warmth; and corrodes mankind's belief that we can better ourselves. The only way to avoid misunderstanding, war and bloodshed is to defend freedom of expression and to communicate with sincerity, concern and good intentions.

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

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.

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

To experience poetry is to see over and above reality. It is to discover that which is beyond the physical, to experience another life and another level of feeling. It is to wonder about the world, to understand the nature of people and, most importantly, to be shared with another, old or young, known or unknown.

If we all say the same thing, then I think the government has to listen. But because no one is saying it, I become singled out, even though what I'm saying is common sense. It's very essential values that we all have to protect. But in Chinese society, people are giving up on protecting these values.

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

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

I want people to see their own power.