Artist's Hand

Ai Weiwei (b. 1957) is a Chinese Contemporary artist and activist who has become internationally known for his open criticism of government, authority, mass consumption, and other social issues. Ai has always been a strong proponent of human rights, freedom of speech, democratic values, and the empowerment of people. In 2017, the artist created 1,000 silver casts of his middle finger for New York City’s Public Art Fund exhibition “Good Fences Make Good Neighbors.” This work is a continuation of Ai’s “Study of Perspective” series from 1995-1997, in which he took photographs of his middle finger raised at iconic landmarks, such as Tiananmen Square, White House, Mona Lisa and Reichstag in Berlin. The series encourages people to question their acceptance and adherence towards government, institutions and establishments. Since the beginning of his career, Ai has been critical and ‘giving the finger’ to overpowering authority, which has led to confrontations with Chinese censors, as well as several arrests, bans and beatings. Now, with “Artist’s Hand,” people can raise the sculpture up themselves as a cultural commentary.