The Sunflower Revolutionary
The news that Ai Weiwei, perhaps China’s most famous contemporary artist, has been jailed recalls Ai’s 100 million porcelain sunflower seeds, now being exhibited at London's Tate Modern Gallery. China’s people, Ai’s installation seems to imply, are like the millions of seeds spread across the Tate’s gargantuan entrance hall.
LONDON – The grim news that Ai Weiwei, perhaps China’s most famous contemporary artist, has been arrested and jailed – his family and friends have not seen or heard from him since – makes me think anew about Ai’s 100 million hand-painted porcelain sunflower seeds, now being exhibited at London’s Tate Modern Gallery.