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Why did Ai Weiwei make Sunflower Seeds?
1 Answer
Ai Weiwei made Sunflower Seeds to provide a political critique. During his childhood, the Chinese artist frequently saw propaganda posters depicting Mao Zedong, founder of the Chinese Communist Party, as the sun and the citizens of China as sunflowers thriving beneath his rays. His installation featuring 100 million individually handmade sunflower seeds symbolized the poverty that the artist experienced while growing up in Communist China and the reduction of people as individuals / the grouping of individual human beings into a mass that occurred under Communist rule. Shop a collection of Ai Weiwei art on 1stDibs.
1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
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Shop for Ai Weiwei Art on 1stDibs
Ai Weiwei, Bomb - Fine Art Inkjet Print, Hand-Signed
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Hamburg, DE
Ai Weiwei (Chinese, b. 1957)
Bomb, 2020
Medium: Fine art inkjet print, Hahnemüle German etching 310g paper
Dimensions: 95 x 130 cm (37 2/5 x 51 1/5 in)
Edition of 100 + 25 AP: Hand-s...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Abstract Prints
Materials
Paper, Inkjet
"Coca Cola" Vase
By Ai Weiwei
Located in London, GB
Murano, cast vase in translucent red glass. Includes original packaging and ply presentation box. Edition of 300. Produced in 2023. This work comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Category
2010s Pop Art Sculptures
Materials
Glass
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AI WEIWEI - CEDAR (LARGE) Chinese Modern Activism Tree Tradition Ink White
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Madrid, Madrid
Ai Weiwei CEDAR (LARGE)
Date of creation: 2022
Medium: Screenprint on Somerset Velvet Antique paper
Edition: 50
Size: 70.5 x 55.5 cm
Condition: In mint conditions, brand new and nev...
Category
2010s Conceptual Figurative Prints
Materials
Paper, Screen
Ai Weiwei, Coca-Cola Glass Vase - Limited Edition Sculpture, Engraved Signature
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Hamburg, DE
Ai Weiwei (Chinese, b. 1957)
Coca-Cola Glass Vase, 2023
Medium: Cast vase in translucent red glass
Dimensions: ⌀ 19 cm x 21 cm x 21.2 cm (7 1/2 × 8 3/10 × 8 3/10 in)
Edition of 300: ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Pop Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Glass
Pequi Tree
By Ai Weiwei
Located in London, GB
Ai Weiwei
Pequi Tree Miniature, 2021
Tin
12 3/5 × 3 1/10 in 32 × 8 cm
Edition of 250
The "Pequi Tree" is a notable installation by the renowned Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. This artwo...
Category
2010s Contemporary Still-life Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Cedar (small)
By Ai Weiwei
Located in London, GB
Cedar (small), 2022
Screenprint on Somerset Velvet Antique 280gsm
hand-signed and numbered
47.5 x 38 cm
Edition of 150
To commemorate Ai Weiwei’s gift of a tree sculpture, Cedar, 20...
Category
2010s Contemporary Landscape Prints
Materials
Screen
