Ai Weiwei

There are no outdoor sports as graceful as throwing stones at a dictatorship.

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.

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

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

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.

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

Twitter is the people’s tool, the tool of the ordinary people, people who have no other resources.

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

The world is sphere, has no East or West.

The art always wins. Anything can happen to me, but the art will stay.

Life is art. Art is life. I never separate it. I don’t feel that much anger. I equally have a lot of joy.

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

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

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

I think it’s a responsibility for any artist to protect freedom of expression and to use any way to extend this power.

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.

If you don’t act, the danger becomes stronger.

Liberty is about our rights to question everything.

A nation that has no music and no fairytales is a tragedy.