Ai Weiwei is a Chinese artist and activist known for his radical work that fuses political and social consciousness with artistic expression. Working with sculpture, installation, architecture, and even social media, the artist uses his work to address issues of human rights, environmentalism, and freedom of expression. Due to the provocative nature of his art, Ai Weiwei has faced significant persecution by the Chinese government, resulting in the artist's continued advocacy for artistic and individual freedoms.

Ai Weiwei’s Oil Spills (2006) transforms environmental catastrophe into delicate artistry through handcrafted black porcelain. The work mimics crude oil’s toxic spread, drawing attention to industrial pollution and ecological destruction. By reimagining an environmental disaster in a refined material, Weiwei prompts reflection on human impact and nature’s vulnerability.