Ai Weiwei's show at Meijer Gardens called "Natural State" is his first in the upper Midwest. His colossal work Iron Tree was acquired by Meijer Gardens in 2015 in honor of its 20th anniversary. 

This rising artist is very unique, in that he expresses cultural and personal injustice, freedom of speech, and human dignity through his art. As a result, he is most often viewed as a conceptual artist. "Ancient vessels or furniture become symbolic of Chinese history; the use of backpacks are stand-ins for children; traditionally crafted kites become symbols of freedom." (from the Meijer Gardens "Natural State" website).

 Find out more about this intriguing and edgy artist at Hekman Library:

• Ai WeiWei (N7349.A5 A4 2015)
• Ai WeiWei: Spatial Matters: Art Architecture and Activism (N7349.A5 A85 2014)
• Weiwei-isms (N7349.A5 A35 2013)