Trump has to be challenged, says Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei

Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei on Thursday encouraged people across the world to challenge their leaders, including US President Donald Trump, in order to fend off what he said are threats to basic human values posed by governments.

In Israel for the opening of his first exhibition in the Mideast country, the controversial artist, whose work often deals with the grim side of human nature, said people are locked in an almost permanent battle with their leaders and governments.

“Trump himself has to be challenged,” he said. “You can recognise it’s happening. It’s not so easy.”

Ai spoke at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, where his exhibit “Maybe, Maybe Not,” is to open on Friday.

He stood on his artwork titled Soft Ground, a hand woven 250-square-meter carpet that replicates the floor of Munich’s Haus der Kunst, the gallery where Nazi-approved artwork was displayed during the Third Reich.

He insisted people need to challenge authority in every way to protect their gained freedoms, but conceded that this would be difficult.