Screen print on white Somerset Velvet, 300gsm
- Published by Kettle's Yard, Cambridge
This 2022 Cats (Pink Edition) by Ai Weiwei is a limited edition screen-print featuring two abstract cats outlined in white against a vibrant pink background. The playful yet minimalist lines give the cats an expressive, whimsical look, with their forms composed of simple strokes. Printed on white Somerset Velvet paper, the piece reflects Weiwei’s exploration of domesticity and companionship through everyday subjects. The vivid pink color adds a modern and bold twist to the simplicity of the design, making the work stand out as both intimate and visually striking. Published by Kettle's Yard in Cambridge, this edition captures Weiwei's blend of personal and artistic contemplation.
Ai Weiwei (China, 1957) is a globally influential artist and activist blending conceptual art with political commentary. Known for provocative works like Sunflower Seeds and Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn, he critiques authority, censorship, and human rights abuses. His installations, films, and public interventions challenge societal norms and inspire global dialogue.
Screen-print Screen printing is a technique where ink is transferred through a mesh onto a substrate, with areas blocked by a stencil to prevent ink from passing through. This method, also known as serigraphy or silkscreen printing, is commonly used to produce prints on posters, T-shirts, vinyl, stickers, wood, and other materials. The process is a type of stencil printing, allowing for vibrant, detailed designs on various surfaces.
Screen print on white Somerset Velvet, 300gsm
- Published by Kettle's Yard, Cambridge
This 2022 Cats (Pink Edition) by Ai Weiwei is a limited edition screen-print featuring two abstract cats outlined in white against a vibrant pink background. The playful yet minimalist lines give the cats an expressive, whimsical look, with their forms composed of simple strokes. Printed on white Somerset Velvet paper, the piece reflects Weiwei’s exploration of domesticity and companionship through everyday subjects. The vivid pink color adds a modern and bold twist to the simplicity of the design, making the work stand out as both intimate and visually striking. Published by Kettle's Yard in Cambridge, this edition captures Weiwei's blend of personal and artistic contemplation.
Ai Weiwei (China, 1957) is a globally influential artist and activist blending conceptual art with political commentary. Known for provocative works like Sunflower Seeds and Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn, he critiques authority, censorship, and human rights abuses. His installations, films, and public interventions challenge societal norms and inspire global dialogue.
If my art has nothing to do with people's pain and sorrow, what is 'art' for?
- Ai Weiwei
Receiving worldwide acclaim for his activism, Ai Weiwei’s work spans across several mediums as an architect, curator and filmmaker. Ai’s most recognised social commentaries pertain to the Chinese government and the loss of traditional culture; Sunflower Seeds - a piece displayed at the Tate Modern - featured the scattering of over 60 million hand-painted porcelain ‘seeds’, an allusion to the destructive nature of mass consumption and the subsequent loss of individuality. Prior to the cultural revolution that took place in China, Ai and his family had first been sent to a labour camp, then subsequently exiled for 16 years. Upon the Chinese reform, Ai moved to New York and was notably influenced by the work of Andy Warhol and Marcel Duchamp; he also met beat poet, Allen Ginsberg, around this time, and developed his own philosophies on the schism between Western and traditional cultures. Coca Cola Vase is another of Ai’s most acclaimed works; a Han dynasty urn that has been emblazoned with the Coca Cola logo – another nod to the ever-expanding consumerist culture. (Artist website)
Activist Art is a form of art created to address social and political issues. It often involves public engagement and works closely with communities to raise awareness or inspire change. While it can include elements of performance art, it is not limited to this form. Examples include creating and distributing social protest posters or organizing community-based art projects that highlight specific causes.