Hero of a silkscreen print by Ai Weiwei

Ai Weiwei

Combat fear with truth

€850
Limited edition of 60160.0 (H) × 60.0 (W) cm

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Ai Weiwei pays tribute to a kindred serpentine spirit.

The second silkscreen in a series inspired by the Chinese Zodiac coincides with the Year of the Snake. Weiwei considers the snake an unduly derided creature – often feared and, like himself, liable to be misrepresented or misunderstood. In Weiwei’s depictions, such as monumental sculptures made from the school bags of earthquake victims or the life jackets of refugees, the snake becomes a conduit for truth.

Combat fear with truth is a precise 5-colour silkscreen created in close collaboration with printmakers at Make-Ready in London. Strategic overprinting, 10 layers in total, enhances the vivacity of each colour and adds depth to the surface of the artwork.

a raised printing screen loaded with black ink

Among the 12 Zodiac signs, the snake is the most unpredictable and carries the richest array of legendary meanings. At the same time, it is also the most misunderstood. The snake’s actions are not easily interpreted in relation to human living conditions. These characteristics resonate with what lies ahead. They reflect our future with their unpredictability and latent potential.

"The traits of the snake mirror the essence of the era we live in."

In navigating this complex world, we should approach matters with care and sharpen our ability to discern the changes around us. We must align ourselves with the flow of nature and embrace its selections with acceptance.

Ai Weiwei
artist Ai Weiwei taking a selfie in a bathroom mirror
Ai Weiwei31 collaborationsAi 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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  • A wonderful experience from start to finish.

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