Ai Weiwei
Ai Weiwei was born in Beijing, China in 1957. He grew up in the far northwest of China, where he lived under harsh conditions due to his father’s exile.
He is a Chinese contemporary artist, documentarian, and an outspoken human rights activist. Ai was arrested and imprisoned by Chinese authorities in April 2011 as his photographs, sculptures, films, performances, and installations were deemed to be openly critical of the Chinese Government’s stance on democracy and human rights.
Ai Weiwei is one of the most significant and recognised artists working today. Known around the world for his powerful art and activism, he does not differentiate between disciplines: his practice includes visual and conceptual art, architecture, design, film, collecting and curating.
He is famous for artworks that challenge authority and explore the links between the contemporary world and traditional Chinese culture.
His work features in the collections of Centre Pompidou, the Guggenhiem, MOMA and the Tate.
