Questions & Answers
Our trusted network of 1stDibs sellers answer common questions
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
Related Questions
- Does Ai Weiwei paint?1 Answer
- What does Ai Weiwei's art represent?1 Answer
- What is seeded glass?1 Answer
- Who makes Tabis?1 Answer
- Who makes Broyhill?1 Answer
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
Free Shipping
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
Cats (Red)
By Ai Weiwei
Located in London, GB
Screen print on Saunders Waterford 300gsm paper
Hand-signed, dated, and numbered by the artist
28 × 32.8 cm
Edition of 150
FRAMED
The print was editioned by master printer, Kip Gresham at The Print Studio, Cambridge for Kettle's Yard. It was made using an original drawing ‘cut’ into an acrylic sheet. The image is then reversed when printed.
Description from the publisher:
"Drawing has been fundamental to Ai Weiwei’s artistic practice from an early age. He also has a longstanding love of cats, and they appear frequently in the artist’s social media posts. Many cats used to roam his studio in Beijing. As part of the Kettle’s Yard exhibition, Ai’s ‘Cats wallpaper...
Category
2010s Contemporary Animal Prints
Materials
Screen
