Ai Weiwei, highly acclaimed political artist, has been on the forefront of many issues pertaining to refugees, political prisoners, and basic human rights.
“This simple form of repression, of using the method of not letting anyone speak, will never succeed.”
It's increasingly important for creative minds to understand the grand responsibility we have to present social issues. Art is a messenger and artists are the foundational leaders in human culture. We each have our personal issues that we tangle with but what is amazing is that one's personal struggle isn't limited to oneself. Other people share in the struggle. Every one of us.
One of the key messages Ai Weiwei presents time and time again is freedom. His work shines light on threats to human rights, victims of injustice and catastrophe, and those jailed or killed for their resolve in freedom.
We all want to be free. For fear to not override our lives. We all want to live to the fullest.
We as artists must understand our expression as a powerful weapon to fight for our liberation and the liberation of others. We can all take a cue from Ai Weiwei, and let our art speak for those who have no voice.
Zodiac Installation by Ai Weiwei in Prague, Czech Republic