Ai, Weiwei | River Crabs (from Papercut Portfolio), 2019 — available on Composition Gallery

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Papercut on large format, colored fine art paper; signed in pencil - Edition of 250

River Crabs by Ai Weiwei, part of the 2019 Papercut Portfolio, is a limited edition mixed media print crafted on fine art paper, measuring 59.7 x 59.7 cm. This intricate papercut composition, created in a striking red hue, is rich with socio-political symbolism, reflecting Ai Weiwei's critique of censorship and state control in China. The artwork features a variety of elements including river crabs, surveillance cameras, and construction imagery, arranged in a traditional Chinese papercut style. The river crabs symbolize the Chinese term “harmony,” which has become a satirical reference to censorship. This visually captivating piece demonstrates Ai’s ability to merge traditional craftsmanship with contemporary political commentary, urging viewers to reflect on the complexities of freedom and expression.

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.

Weiwei Ai

River Crabs (from Papercut Portfolio), 2019

Name: River Crabs (from Papercut Portfolio), 2019
SKU: 11302
Price: 4300.00 USD
Availability: InStock

Form

Limited Edition Print

Limited Edition PrintA limited edition print is one of a number of prints made at the same time from one printmaking plate. A fixed number are made and signed by the artist, indicating the printing order, using the format 1/10, meaning first of ten prints.

Medium

Mixed Media

Mixed MediaMixed media refers to artwork that incorporates more than one medium within a single piece. Unlike multimedia art, which combines distinct forms of visual art and often includes elements like sound, video, or digital media, mixed media focuses on combining traditional art materials, such as paint, ink, and collage. Mixed media art allows artists to achieve a wide range of effects and textures by layering and blending different materials.

Edition

Edition of 250

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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)

Artwork by John Baldessari

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Sometimes referred to as Conceptualism, this is an art form where the idea(s) or concept(s) behind the work take precedence over material concerns and traditional aesthetics. Many conceptual artworks can be created by anyone simply by following written instructions. The concept or idea is the most essential aspect of the artwork.

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Weiwei Ai

River Crabs (from Papercut Portfolio), 2019

59.7 x 59.7 cm

Weiwei Ai

River Crabs (from Papercut Portfolio), 2019

Form

Medium

Size

Edition

Price

Artworks

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Biography

Bio

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