Ai Weiwei on the Leading podcast for 22 March 2026:
Unfortunately, we have happiness and we have sadnesses, both human emotions. I'm living in a period of time, and in a location, [where] I see those tragic sadnesses, relating to individuals, very often being not to talk about. So as an artist, or not an artist, as a human being, I will think I have to protect my integrity.
[1,
Following a human being being hurt, I have to really pronounce it and let people know what I feel about it. So that relates to social justice. For me it's really for myself. I have to do it. I don't have a choice.
2,
Later, because people keep asking me, you're an artist? Like my interrogator during my detention, he said, "Weiwei, you're an artist. And why are you doing the work lawyers should do, or journalists should do? And you are even doing better than them?" I said, "Maybe I'm not an artist." So, I think of the people's idea about who is an artist, and how artists should perform, does not really fit me.
3]
murray jason