Ai Weiwei

Free Speech

€1,200

Edition of 100

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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.

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06:12

Behind the scenes

Ai Weiwei

22 collaborations

Ai Weiwei is unafraid to speak truth to power. He’s one of the most famous living artists today – a testament to the breadth and vision of his practice. Effortlessly, he moves between different media, from sculpture and architecture to performance and documentary film. His work is often monumental in scale and is driven by a hunger for truth and justice. In 2008, for example, Ai spent many months collecting the names of over 5000 children who lost their lives in the Sichuan earthquake. This unflinching dedication to human rights saw him detained by the Chinese government for 81 days in 2011, accused of ‘subverting the state.’

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Reviews from Avant collectors

strong work from all team members - i look forward to the next purchase!
Review of Untitled [Man in Car with Shed]
amazing experience throughout, from the actual purchase to the delivery. it was well package and the unboxing was a sweet experience! can’t wait to have it framed and to hang it on my wall!
Review of La Nascita
Beautiful piece! Love it so much
Review of Actual Size
Wonderful work and very good quality production I hope to find a new work soon of him or of a artist that I like
Review of Inner Love
Very smooth transaction. The piece is beautiful. Can;t wait to get it framed.
Review of Guardian
From start to finish, the process of purchasing, claiming the NFT counterpart, and receiving the framed piece was nothing short of excellent. My entire experience with Avant Arte displayed a level of professionalism and excellence across the board. Well done!
Review of Ringers #962: The LACMA Iterations
So happy to have the print.
Review of Actual Size
we appreciate the care taken in transport. Our piece was unframed but we appreciated how the packaging was done to protect it and also extras like the information on the art and the tote bag. We love the art work.
Review of Guardian

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