Ai Weiwei transforms a defiant self-portrait into a new limited edition embroidery.
In 2011, following 81 days in detention with Chinese authorities, Weiwei and his team secretly created toy brick portraits of global political prisoners for a major show at the decommissioned Alcatraz prison in San Francisco. Due to his passport being confiscated, Weiwei was unable to attend the exhibition, uniting him in solidarity with his subjects.
This pixelated embroidery translates a self-portrait of Weiwei with a shaved head and scar – the result of police brutality following his investigation into the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, which caused the artist to haemorrhage. It forms a powerful statement of persistence and solidarity, reflecting Weiwei's unwavering belief that "it is your duty as an artist to fight and to protect freedom of speech."
This limited edition textile piece features approximately 460,000 stitches, embroidered in 5 colours on 230gsm cotton and mounted in a bespoke frame, meticulously crafted to translate the pixelated texture and bold presence of the original toy brick work.
Framed: 40cm (H) × 40cm (W) × 3.7cm (D)
Textile artwork with approximately 460,000 stitches, embroidered in 5 colours on 230gsm cotton and mounted in a bespoke, unglazed frame.
Signed by the artist via stickers on the back. Individually numbered.
Arrives with a certificate of authenticity.
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