Ai Weiwei Brings His Largest U.S. Exhibition to Seattle

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Ai Weiwei has made a name for himself through defiance. From shattering antique artifacts to covering museum floors with intricately crafted porcelain sunflower seeds, his work is a testament against power, a rejection of history as it’s often presented. Now, Seattle is set to host one of his most extensive exhibitions in the United States.

This week, at the Seattle Art Museum (SAM), the exhibition titled “Ai, Rebel: The Art and Activism of Ai Weiwei” unfolds, showcasing a whopping 40-year career, with approximately 130 pieces that tackle themes such as authority, censorship, and cultural identity. Famous creations like “Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn” (1995), “Study of Perspective” (1995–2011), and “Sunflower Seeds” (2010) will be displayed, along with fresh works making their global premiere.

For the very first time, SAM is planning to devote all its branches to a solitary artist’s work. Starting from March 19, 2025, to March 15, 2026, the Seattle Asian Art Museum will exhibit Ai’s LEGO interpretation of “Water Lilies”. Meanwhile, the Olympic Sculpture Park will display his monumental piece, “Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads (Bronze)”, a contemporary reinterpretation of China’s stolen zodiac sculptures, from May 17, 2025 to May 17, 2027.

Visitors have the option to delve further into Ai’s thought process through his books titled “Humanity” and “Weiwei-isms”, both published by No More Rulers. These books can be found at the museum shop. The exhibition will run from March 12, 2025, to September 7, 2025.

Seattle Art Museum
1300 1st Ave
Seattle, WA 98101

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2025-03-11 20:55