Ai Weiwei
Chinese 1957–
Ai Weiwei MASK
2020
polypropolene mask, screenprint
Purchased NGV Foundation, 2020
Contemporary artist Ai Weiwei’s work spans visual art, architecture, curatorial practice, cultural criticism, social media and social activism. Through his work, Ai addresses some of the most critical global issues of the twenty-first century, including the role of the individual and the state, questions of human rights and the value of freedom of expression. Ai Weiwei MASK is a recent initiative by the artist to raise funds to support the COVID-19 emergency efforts of international humanitarian organisations: Human Rights Watch, Refugees International and Médecins Sans Frontières.
‘Our small individual act becomes powerful when they are part of the social response. An individual wearing a mask makes a gesture; a society wearing masks combats a deadly virus. And a society that wears masks because of the choices of individuals, rather than because of the directive of authorities, can defy and withstand any force. No will is too small and no act too helpless.’
Ai Weiwei, 2020
