A completely free exhibition dedicated to the contemporary artist Ai Weiwei has opened in Brussels. Titled “The Art of Defiance,” this exhibition brings together a series of works by this dissident Chinese artist, known worldwide for his use of provocation as a tool to fight censorship.
A Journey Through Provocation
Considered by some to be one of the world’s most controversial artists, Ai Weiwei builds his work around political and social protest. The exhibition allows visitors to discover different facets of his art, ranging from photography to sculpture and large-scale installations.
Among the pieces on display, visitors can view the artist’s famous series of photographs in which he gives the middle finger in front of iconic monuments, such as the Eiffel Tower, or poses shirtless with a provocative inscription in Tiananmen Square. This rebellious motif is also explored in the form of three-dimensional sculptures presented in the various galleries.
The Reappropriation of Objects and Symbols
The exhibition highlights how the artist reappropriates everyday objects and traditional symbols. Visitors can see a wall installation composed of picture frames and bicycle wheels, as well as repurposed antique furniture covered in paint and various materials. The exhibition also features imposing stacks of porcelain vases which, beneath their classic blue-and-white exteriors, incorporate modern military motifs, such as tanks.
Other works are created using plastic building blocks, illustrating the artist’s desire to blend materials from mass culture with messages of dissent. Wall compositions featuring kaleidoscopic patterns round out the exhibition. This retrospective offers free access to the world of a major figure in contemporary art, inviting visitors to reflect on the limits of freedom of expression in the face of authority. A major exhibition not to be missed this season.
📍 Address: Galerie Patrick Derom, Rue aux Laines, 1 1000 Brussels
📆 Dates: September 19–November 14, 2026
