Ai Weiwei: The Liberty of Doubt explores truth, authenticity and value, as well as globalisation, the coronavirus pandemic and current geopolitical crises.
In the ground floor galleries there is a single installation devised by Ai Weiwei. This is the first time the artist has juxtaposed historic Chinese objects with his own artworks. The antiquities on display were acquired by Ai Weiwei at an auction in Cambridge in 2020. He has identified some as original, including from the Northern Wei (386 – 534CE) dynasty, and others as counterfeits, later copies of original works.
Ai Weiwei’s own works, beautifully crafted in jade, marble and porcelain, explore contemporary issues, draw on his life story and transform familiar artefacts into iconic objects.
