Ai Weiwei's 'Button Up!' at Aviva Studios is a sweeping critique of imperialism and industrialization. The centerpiece, eight flags sewn with four million buttons from a defunct Croydon factory, embodies craftsmanship and memory. A 49m inflatable migrant boat and a bomb mosaic made of 3.5 million toy bricks amplify the scale.

The exhibition also features a 24-hour performance recreating Weiwei's 81-day detention, blurring art and activism. With works like the 39-day sound piece 'Nian Nian' listing earthquake victims, the show is both visually overwhelming and deeply political. A strong reference for those seeking art that confronts power.