We are delighted to share a new limited edition print created by exhibition artist Ai Weiwei with his son Ai Lao. The print depicts two cats belonging to Ai Weiwei and Ai Lao named Maple and Birch.
Drawing has been fundamental to Ai Weiwei’s artistic practice from an early age. He also has a longstanding love of cats, and they appear frequently in the artist’s social media posts. Many cats used to roam his studio in Beijing. As part of the Kettle’s Yard exhibition, Ai’s ‘Cats wallpaper’ (2015) will be displayed in the Castle Street window. This artwork was originally exhibited as ‘Studio Cats’ in the exhibition Andy Warhol / Ai Weiwei at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, reflecting both artists’ mutual love of cats. For Kettle’s Yard, the drawing of Maple and Birch has been inserted among the other cats depicted on the wallpaper.
I like cats very much because of their independent character, alertness and understanding of human beings; I have feelings approximating to reverence for them. Cats have been regarded as psychic animals since ancient times, no matter in China or ancient Greece. What’s even more interesting is that if a selfie of mine would be seen by 100 people, a cat photo would be seen by 1000 people. I believe that everyone can share this happiness.
— Ai Weiwei
The print is available to buy in two colours, red and black. They have been editioned by master printer, Kip Gresham at The Print Studio, Cambridge. The prints have been made using an original drawing ‘cut’ into an acrylic sheet. The image is then reversed when printed.
Each edition: 150
Numbered and dated
Signed in pencil by Ai Weiwei
Screen print on Saunders Waterford paper, hot pressed, natural, 300gsm
28cm x 32.8cm
£400 unframed, £500 framed
Approved by the artist, the bespoke frame is solid oak with low reflection glass.