The exiled Chinese artist spoke to Sky's Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips about the cancellation of his exhibition by a gallery in London.

He was responding to a question about the cancellation of his exhibition by the Lisson Gallery in London in November following comments on social media referencing the Israel-Hamas conflict.

His post, which was subsequently deleted, suggested the “sense of guilt around the persecution of the Jewish people” had been transferred and used against the Arab world.

Referring to his own family’s exile when he was one year old, the activist said: "I grew up within this heavy political censorship.

“I realise now, today in the West, you are doing exactly the same.”

He drew parallels with the disastrous purge under Mao, which took China to the brink of anarchy.

Criticising the suspension of two New York University professors for comments related to Gaza, Ai said: "This is really like a cultural revolution, which is really trying to destroy anybody who have different attitudes, not even a clear opinion.

Ai’s art often addresses political issues in China and he has frequently criticised Beijing’s record on human rights and democracy.

  • Linkerbaan@lemmy.worldOP
    119·
    9 months ago

    Because reading an article has proven really difficult for some, here’s some lines from the article:

    So basically I was talking on Twitter, just answering someone’s question. Normally you can talk, or whatever you like. You can joke, you can make fun, you can, you know, just give your opinions.

    But today I see so many people by giving their basic opinions, they get fired, they get censored. This has become very common."

    Criticising the suspension of two New York University professors for comments related to Gaza, Ai said: "This is really like a cultural revolution, which is really trying to destroy anybody who have different attitudes, not even a clear opinion.

    So I think that this is such a pity, that it happened in the West, so broadly in universities, in media, in every location. In universities or political sector - everywhere - you cannot talk about the truth.

    In 2011, Ai was arrested at Beijing Capital International Airport and detained for 81 days. He left China in 2015 and has not returned since.

    • wahming@monyet.ccEnglish
      83·
      9 months ago

      The guy who was arrested and detained for 3 months by the Chinese govt is using his freedom of speech to complain how the west has just as little freedom of speech?

      • Linkerbaan@lemmy.worldOP
        34·
        9 months ago

        Yes because now that he’s saying things the west doesn’t like he’s getting censored too.

        This might be really hard to understand but China also has useful idiots which shill for them online by hating on America and get censored when they start asking too many questions

        • wahming@monyet.ccEnglish
          32·
          9 months ago

          Do you honestly not see the difference between getting your post removed or account banned, and getting thrown into jail indefinitely? This is just another ridiculous ‘both sides’ argument which ignores that one side is multiple orders of magnitude worse

          • Linkerbaan@lemmy.worldOP
            25·
            9 months ago

            Post removed? You mean people get fired from their job and censored from all platforms by targeted israeli slandering campaigns?