Cast aluminium based on 3D scan of Cedar, 2022
- Signed and numbered COA
This small-scale sculpture by Ai Weiwei, titled Cedar Tree, is cast in aluminum based on a 3D scan of a cedar tree, capturing the natural form and texture of the tree's branches. The metallic sheen of the cast aluminum contrasts with the organic shape of the branches, giving the work a modern, industrial aesthetic. The tree's form, fractured and abstract, is symbolic of Weiwei’s recurring themes around nature, memory, and human intervention. Signed and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, this limited-edition work demonstrates Weiwei’s mastery of material and concept, transforming natural elements into sculptural statements.
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.
MetalMetal has been traditionally used in art for creating sculptures, jewelry, masks, adornments, tools, and weapons, often featuring decorative elements. Common types of metal used include bronze, brass, cast iron, gray iron, copper, gold, tin, wrought iron, and silver.
Cast aluminium based on 3D scan of Cedar, 2022
- Signed and numbered COA
This small-scale sculpture by Ai Weiwei, titled Cedar Tree, is cast in aluminum based on a 3D scan of a cedar tree, capturing the natural form and texture of the tree's branches. The metallic sheen of the cast aluminum contrasts with the organic shape of the branches, giving the work a modern, industrial aesthetic. The tree's form, fractured and abstract, is symbolic of Weiwei’s recurring themes around nature, memory, and human intervention. Signed and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, this limited-edition work demonstrates Weiwei’s mastery of material and concept, transforming natural elements into sculptural statements.
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.