Ai Weiwei

Combat fear with truth

€850

Time-limited edition

Edition of 601

Sold out

Love this work?

Join waiting list to get notified about any cancellations and early access on next releases.

Ai Weiwei pays tribute to a kindred serpentine spirit.

The second silkscreen in a series inspired by the Chinese Zodiac coincides with the Year of the Snake. Weiwei considers the snake an unduly derided creature – often feared and, like himself, liable to be misrepresented or misunderstood. In Weiwei’s depictions, such as monumental sculptures made from the school bags of earthquake victims or the life jackets of refugees, the snake becomes a conduit for truth.

Combat fear with truth is a precise 5-colour silkscreen created in close collaboration with printmakers at Make-Ready in London. Strategic overprinting, 10 layers in total, enhances the vivacity of each colour and adds depth to the surface of the artwork.

a raised printing screen loaded with black ink

Among the 12 Zodiac signs, the snake is the most unpredictable and carries the richest array of legendary meanings. At the same time, it is also the most misunderstood. The snake’s actions are not easily interpreted in relation to human living conditions. These characteristics resonate with what lies ahead. They reflect our future with their unpredictability and latent potential.

"The traits of the snake mirror the essence of the era we live in."

In navigating this complex world, we should approach matters with care and sharpen our ability to discern the changes around us. We must align ourselves with the flow of nature and embrace its selections with acceptance.
Ai Weiwei

Insight

What does a snake have to do with fear and truth?

Ai Weiwei

11 collaborations

Ai Weiwei is unafraid to speak truth to power. He’s one of the most famous living artists today – a testament to the breadth and vision of his practice. Effortlessly, he moves between different media, from sculpture and architecture to performance and documentary film. His work is often monumental in scale and is driven by a hunger for truth and justice. In 2008, for example, Ai spent many months collecting the names of over 5000 children who lost their lives in the Sichuan earthquake. This unflinching dedication to human rights saw him detained by the Chinese government for 81 days in 2011, accused of ‘subverting the state.’

Who else should know about this work?

Help us spread the word

Reviews from Avant collectors

From start to finish, the process of purchasing, claiming the NFT counterpart, and receiving the framed piece was nothing short of excellent. My entire experience with Avant Arte displayed a level of professionalism and excellence across the board. Well done!
Review of Ringers #962: The LACMA Iterations
strong work from all team members - i look forward to the next purchase!
Review of Untitled [Man in Car with Shed]
Beautifully printed piece. Nice touch on the bag and gloves. Thank you for your efficiency and timely updates.
Review of Actual Size
Expertly packaged & printed. We be getting it properly framed to hang. Thank you!
Review of Actual Size
Gorgeous! Really blown away by the packaging.
Review of Untitled
Amazing job on the framing and shipping.
Review of Untitled
this was an amazing experience with an amazing work as the result - thank you so much for all the assistance and for such a lovely purchase experience!!!
Review of Actual Size
the packaging was amazing.
Review of Actual Size

Discover more print editions on Avant Arte

See all

Few left

Nicasio FernandezD.I.Y (Hand-finished)€4,000

Available

Wang Zhibo15℃, Nationalistic Optimism by the Sea€800

Draw

Other WorldDogs of War€2,500

Closing on 15 April

Draw

Oscar yi HouCoolieisms, aka: Born In The USA (Go And Kill The Yellow Man)€3,500

Closing on 22 April