Ai Weiwei | In the Studio

What is an artist? What is an activist? We meet Ai Weiwei in Berlin ahead of Button Up! – a major new exhibition exploring 200 years of history, power and empire – to talk about his work as both an artist and activist.

In his studio, he reflects on the art of his childhood – from communist propaganda to his father Ai Qing’s plant drawings – and his ever-changing relationship with China. He talks about documenting the refugee crisis and the importance of creating art alone, for himself.

Get a first glimpse inside the Warehouse of Button Up! while Ai reflects on the themes of the exhibition, including Manchester’s industrial and colonial history.

Ai Weiwei: Button Up! runs throughout summer from 2 July to 6 September 2026. Find out more and book tickets here.