'Sunflower Seed' by Ai Weiwei, 2010
0.75 x .025 Inches each
1.9 x 0.7 Centimeters each
9 x 9 x 1.2 Inches (framed)
Hand-painted porcelain sunflower seed from the artist's historic exhibit.
Unique, limited edition, custom framed presentation - plate-signed in the matting by the artist.
Signari Gallery Limited Edition Presentation series of 50 pieces (only 3 pieces left in edition).
Signed in the plate by the artist in black.
Each piece is individually hand-numbered in pencil on reverse.

*Note: Professionally framed with image-printed white matting feat. the artist's stunning original collection of hand-painted Sunflower Seeds, printed artist signature, white acid-free matting and black hardwood moulding.

ABOUT THE ART

"In the times I grew up, it was a common place symbol for The People, the sunflower faces the trajectory of the red sun, so must the masses feel towards their leadership. Handfuls were carried in pockets, to be consumed on all occasions both casual and formal. So much more than a snack, it was the minimal ingredient that constituted the most essential needs and desires. Their empty shells were the ephemeral traces of social activity. The least common denominator for human satisfaction. I wonder what would have happened without them?"

- Ai Weiwei

Ai Weiwei's 'Sunflower Seeds' is made up of millions of small works, each apparently identical, but actually unique. However realistic they may seem, these life-sized sunflower seed husks are in fact intricately hand-crafted in porcelain.

Each seed has been individually sculpted and painted by specialists working in small-scale workshops in the Chinese city of Jingdezhen. Far from being industrially produced, they are the effort of hundreds of skilled hands. Poured into the interior of the Turbine Hall’s vast industrial space, the 100 million seeds form a seemingly infinite landscape.

Porcelain is almost synonymous with China and, to make this work, Ai Weiwei has manipulated traditional methods of crafting what has historically been one of China’s most prized exports. Sunflower Seeds invites us to look more closely at the ‘Made in China’ phenomenon and the geo-politics of cultural and economic exchange today.
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Very Good - Excellent.



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