Free Speech

Free Speech belongs to a trio of artworks by Ai Weiwei which combine innovative printing methods with pillars of freedom upheld throughout his practice.

The edition encompasses rife global friction bet...

Free Speech belongs to a trio of artworks by Ai Weiwei which combine innovative printing methods with pillars of freedom upheld throughout his practice.

The edition encompasses rife global friction between free expression and censorship. Birds with open beaks – a nod to Twitter – hover above a symmetrical arrangement of razor wire, printed in 11 distinct layers on a silkscreen press. Glossy, vibrant colours contrast a matte black underprint, while a series of varnish highlights and phosphorescent details anoint the composition with depth and drama.

Stylistically, the work is an ode to papercut artworks made by the artist’s father – a renowned poet persecuted by the Chinese government – during his childhood. Ai's interest in paper cutting also stems from its historic status as a domestic pursuit, rather than a viable artistic medium.

Go behind the scenes at Make-Ready in London as Ai reflects on the profundities of printmaking, and its lineage within his practice.

Composition
Framing 
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Ai Weiwei
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Edition details
Dimensions
Unframed: 60cm x 60cm
Framed: 67.5cm x 67.5cm x 3.2cm
Framing
Two framing options are available. A matte black painted wooden frame with open grain, or a red painted wooden frame with a high gloss finish – both mounted on an off-white back board and fitted with UV plexiglass for protection.
Medium
11 colour silkscreen with spot varnish highlights and glow-in-the-dark details in phosphorescent ink, printed on 600gsm Somerset Tub Sized Radiant White paper.
Finishing
Individually numbered, signed by the artist, and accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity.
Release date
May 11, 2023

From the artist

Behind the scenes