Ai Weiwei's 'Aftershock' Exhibition at MAXXI L'Aquila Explores Five Decades of Political Art

The exhibition 'Aftershock' by Ai Weiwei is set to launch at MAXXI L'Aquila on April 29, under the curation of Tim Marlow. This extensive showcase covers five decades, featuring pieces from the 1980s in New York to recent sculptures from Ukraine in 2025. Among the highlights are works that address the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, displayed at Palazzo Ardinghelli, symbolizing renewal following the 2009 earthquake in L'Aquila. The exhibition delves into themes of disaster, conflict, and resilience. Weiwei's artistic journey is influenced by personal history; his father faced denunciation during China's Cultural Revolution, resulting in their exile. Significant works include his 1995 performance of breaking a Han urn and the 2011 installation of 100 million porcelain sunflower seeds at Tate Modern. He was held for 81 days in 2011, later reflecting this experience in 'S.A.C.R.E.D.' His LEGO creations portray political prisoners as 'physical pixels.'