00:15

Ai Weiwei

Guardian

€650

Edition of 1601

Sold out

Love this work?

Join waiting list to get notified about any cancellations and early access on next releases.

Self-satire meets storied symbolism in a sparkling silkscreen print by Ai Weiwei.

In Chinese tradition, a Door God is placed at an entrance or threshold to protect those inside from harm. By casting himself as this totemic figure, Weiwei acknowledges his standing in global consciousness, draws parallels with his life as an artist, and attempts to resolve the two.

Familiar motifs nod to the negative influences that Weiwei, in divine form, might ward off – from censorship and propaganda to corruption and surveillance. Red, meanwhile, promises good fortune for the year ahead.

To create the edition, printers at Make-Ready developed a new technique designed to echo a ceramic tile or cast concrete in silkscreen form. Bespoke gold ink ‘overloaded’ with metallic pigment and glitter is applied to the paper as a solid layer, then veiled by a layer of vibrant red to reveal an intricate illustration in negative space.

Go deeper

Behind the scenes

01:14
00:51

Ai Weiwei

11 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.’

Who else should know about this work?

Help us spread the word

Reviews from Avant collectors

It was all beautiful 10/10 🤍
Review of Actual Size
Very happy with the print, shipping, and framing.
Review of HOPE (251-375)
Luv, luv, luv! Simple and clean complexity! A genuine piece of Art to love and admire...daily!
Review of Descendent - Lucid Dreamer
Very well presented and with cert.
Review of Actual Size
communication from start to finish has been very informative, quick and helpful. I am happy with the professional way in which the piece has been packaged and shipped, protected to a high degree. Thank you to everyone involved.
Review of Something Forbidden (Blue)
Thank you for paying attention to the details and for making even little peope feel grand. 🫶🏻
Review of Guardian
appart from a incredible opportunity to own and enjoy an Ai Weiwei the packaging was exemplary. i have worked pretty much my whole life in the art and museum sector and this impressed me very much, well sone you guys 👍🏻
Review of Guardian
Beyond my expectations and Avante Arte will be my only source for online art. No others compare to the artists and perfectionism that Avante Arte offers. Thank you.
Review of Guardian

Discover more print editions on Avant Arte

See all

Few left

Bony RamirezTORO!€2,900

Available

Shigeki MatsuyamaPortrait of dazzle #150-P€800

Upcoming

Grayson PerryMagical Thinking (Large)€20,200

Launching in 00d 00h 00m

Draw

Ferrari SheppardIris€1,250

Closing on 01 May