Ai Weiwei Quotes about Art

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.

Everything is art. Everything is politics.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

My definition of art has always been the same. It is about freedom of expression. I don’t think anybody can separate art from politics. The intention to separate [the two] is itself a very political intention.

I have people working together, doing different things: architecture, art installation, photography, publishing, and curatorial works and design.

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

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.

As a total activity - I practice curating, art, architecture, writing, and publishing all together. I still act as a living creature.

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.

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.

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

This is a very general understanding of art in China, that being an artist can make you money and turn you into a star.

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

Just look at the statistics: Each university has tens of thousands of applications for students who want to be in art school, but they can only accept a few hundred.

[Shanghai Biennale] has been my attitude for as long as I've been practicing art and other cultural-related activities.

Because Chinese art is booming, it legitimizes this profession.