Why were Ai Weiwei’s avant-garde art books published outside official Chinese government channels?

Between 1994 and 1997, Ai Weiwei collaborated on three books that promoted avant-garde Chinese art. These works were published outside official Chinese government channels because they served as signposts for the country's underground art community.1

Throughout his career, Ai has produced work that is frequently provocative and subversive, often challenging official narratives and political structures. This commitment to artistic and political independence has consistently placed him at odds with Chinese authorities, who have responded with various forms of repression, including surveillance, the demolition of his studios, and the censorship of his online activities. By operating outside state-sanctioned channels, Ai has maintained the freedom to explore themes and critiques that the government would otherwise suppress.231