The concept of the Readymade is vital to Ai Weiwei’s work, often appearing in the form of repurposed Ming and Qing dynasty furniture, architectural elements, and other relics of Chinese craftsmanship. In 2009, Ai Weiwei began collecting organic wood fragments from the mountainous regions of Jiangxi in southern China and meticulously constructing the roots and branches into intricate tree compositions. The monumental sculpture Iron Tree is based on a wooden predecessor and took more than two years to compose. Its complex, animated branches conjure images of dragons that recur throughout the Chinese visual tradition. The untreated surface evolves over time, developing an oxidized patina with even greater visual dimension. With this evocatively powerful work, Ai Weiwei creates a contemplative environment for the viewer, inviting reflection on their relationship to nature,
culture, history, and self.
