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.

The purpose of art is the fight for freedom.

Your own acts tell the world who you are and what kind of society you think it should be.

Creativity is part of human nature. It can only be untaught.

A small act is worth a million thoughts.

Everything is art. Everything is politics.

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.

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.

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.

Being an artist is more of a mindset, a way of seeing things; it is no longer so much about producing something.

The deadly weapon against totalitarian society is openness - doing everything very openly on the Internet, letting people know every detail, any little development. Once it is out there, everybody can make their own judgement. [Therefore] holding a trial outside the court. I think that is fairness, that is justice, that is a civil society. Otherwise call it an evil society because everything is hidden.

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.

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

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

Liberty is about the right to question everything.

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

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

I want people to see their own power.

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.

My typical day is I wake up and appreciate that I can still wake up.

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

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