Ai Weiwei, born on August 28, 1957, in Beijing, China, is a renowned contemporary artist, documentarian, and activist whose work boldly intertwines political conviction with poetic expression. Growing up under harsh conditions in northwest China due to his father's exile, Ai has become one of the most vocal critics of the Chinese government's stance on democracy and human rights. His fearless activism, particularly in exposing government corruption, notably during the 2008 Sichuan earthquake scandal, led to his arrest in 2011 and subsequent detention for 81 days without charge. An influential figure in Chinese modernism and cultural development, Ai Weiwei's art, including notable works like Sunflower Seeds and the Beijing National Stadium, continues to challenge and inspire globally. Since 2015, following his departure from China, he has lived and worked in Portugal, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Artist biography: Ai Weiwei
Ai Weiwei, born in 1957, is a prominent Chinese artist and activist whose life has been deeply intertwined with his work and political activism. His early years were marked by hardship, as his father, the poet Ai Qing, was persecuted during the Anti-Rightist Movement. The family endured harsh conditions, first in a labor camp and later in exile in Shihezi, Xinjiang. It wasn’t until 1976, following Mao Zedong's death and the end of the Cultural Revolution, that they returned to Beijing.
In 1978, Ai enrolled at the Beijing Film Academy to study animation, but his artistic journey soon led him to co-found the avant-garde art group "The Stars" alongside notable artists such as Ma Desheng and Huang Rui. Although the group disbanded in 1983, Ai continued to engage in the art scene, participating in exhibitions and retrospectives that explored the group's impact on contemporary art. Ai’s artistic and intellectual development took a significant turn when he moved to the United States in 1981, part of the first wave of Chinese students studying abroad after the country's reforms. His time in Philadelphia and San Francisco, where he studied English, was followed by a move to New York City. There, Ai briefly attended Parsons School of Design and the Art Students League of New York. Immersed in the vibrant art scene, he was influenced by Marcel Duchamp, Andy Warhol, and Jasper Johns. Ai's work during this period included conceptual art, which often involved altering readymade objects. He also gained notoriety as a blackjack player and maintained an extensive photographic documentation of his surroundings, creating what is known as the New York Photographs.
Returning to China in 1993 due to his father's illness, Ai became a central figure in the Beijing East Village, a hub for experimental artists. He also co-founded FAKE Design and initiated various projects, including the controversial "Fuck Off" exhibition in 2000, which challenged conventional art norms and government censorship. His architectural pursuits led him to design and build his studio house in Caochangdi, Beijing, in 1999. Ai's political activism became increasingly prominent, especially with his online presence. His blog on Sina Weibo, which began in 2005, provided a platform for his critique of government policies and social issues. Despite the blog’s shutdown in 2009, Ai continued his activism on Twitter and other platforms, drawing global attention to his cause. His activism and outspokenness on issues such as the Sichuan earthquake and the government's handling of student casualties led to significant confrontations with Chinese authorities. Ai's investigation into the earthquake's impact and his subsequent arrest in 2009 for his efforts, including the severe beating he received from police, were widely condemned. In 2011, Ai was arrested again on charges of tax evasion, which many saw as a direct retaliation for his criticism of the government. His detention prompted international protests and calls for his release.
Following his release in June 2011, Ai faced continued restrictions and scrutiny. He was under heavy surveillance and faced additional charges, including accusations of spreading pornography, which were widely viewed as attempts to stifle his dissent. Despite these challenges, Ai continued to engage in global dialogue through his work and online presence. His case garnered substantial international support, including from art institutions and activists. As of 2023, Ai Weiwei resides in Montemor-o-Novo, Portugal, while maintaining connections with Cambridge, England, and Berlin. His commitment to art and activism remains unwavering, reflecting his enduring role as a critical voice in global and Chinese socio-political discourse.
Iconic Artworks
Ai Weiwei's art is distinguished by its incisive engagement with socio-political themes, merging visual artistry with activism in a variety of powerful works. His video documentation of Beijing's evolving urban landscape, including Beijing 2003 and Chang'an Boulevard, offers an unfiltered view of the city's infrastructure and social conditions during rapid development. Beijing 2003, a 150-hour journey documenting every road within Beijing's Fourth Ring Road, captures the city's transformation through a methodical and extensive visual record, preserving a vanishing urban fabric. Chang'an Boulevard similarly portrays Beijing's iconic thoroughfare, revealing the rhythm and complexity of the city through incremental frames, mapping its physical and socio-economic landscape. His later works, such as Beijing: The Second Ring and Beijing: The Third Ring, contrast the traffic flow and city dynamics across different weather conditions, further exploring Beijing's historical and modern layers. Ai's Fairytale (2007) documents his ambitious project of bringing 1,001 Chinese citizens to Kassel, Germany, for Documenta 12, blending personal narratives with broader cultural dialogue, while Little Girl's Cheeks and 4851 address the tragic aftermath of the Sichuan earthquake, reflecting his activism in seeking justice for victims and criticizing government transparency. A Beautiful Life captures the struggles of Feng Zhenghu against arbitrary state control, and Disturbing the Peace exposes injustices during Tan Zuoren's trial, highlighting the government's repression of dissent. One Recluse and Hua Hao Yue Yuan delve into China's legal and political repression, offering raw insights into state violence and human rights abuses. Ai's Remembrance is a poignant audio tribute to Sichuan earthquake victims, underlining his commitment to memorializing and protesting against corruption and negligence. In San Hua, he examines the cat-trading industry, critiquing both animal cruelty and public debates. The Ordos 100 project documents the unrealized architectural initiative aimed at redefining urban development in Inner Mongolia. So Sorry and Ping'an Yueqing further his critique of state policies and corruption, while The Crab House chronicles the demolition of his studio in Shanghai as a symbol of government overreach. Stay Home reveals the plight of individuals affected by China’s one-child policy and HIV contamination, emphasizing Ai's focus on marginalized voices. His recent works, such as Ai Weiwei's Appeal ¥15,220,910.50 and Fukushima Art Project, continue to explore themes of governmental accountability and global crises, including the refugee crisis and the Fukushima disaster. Ai Weiwei's visual art, including the iconic Sunflower Seeds installation at Tate Modern, Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn, and Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads, employs symbolic objects and installations to critique historical and contemporary issues, reflecting his enduring impact on the art world as both a creator and an outspoken critic of political and social injustices.
Sunflower Seeds (2008) by Ai Weiwei
Close up of the installation known as Sunflower Seeds by Ai Weiwei, 2017, © DaringDonna via Wikipedia
Ai Weiwei's installation Sunflower Seeds (2008) is a profound commentary on both historical and contemporary issues through the medium of art. First exhibited at Tate Modern in London from October 12, 2010, to May 2, 2011, the work features an astonishing one hundred million handcrafted porcelain sunflower seeds, spread across the gallery's 1,000 square meter Turbine Hall to a depth of ten centimeters. This immense installation weighed around 150 tons, each seed meticulously hand-painted and fired at 1,300 degrees Celsius. Initially, viewers were invited to interact with the seeds, walking and even lying on them. However, concerns over the potential health risks from the dust produced by the porcelain led the museum to restrict access to the installation after a short period. Despite this, the seeds were displayed in various forms across twelve international exhibitions from 2009 to 2013, demonstrating the work's broad appeal and significance. He created Sunflower Seeds as a reflection on his childhood and political commentary. During his youth, sunflower seeds were a symbol of shared moments and simplicity, as even the poorest families could enjoy them. This nostalgia is contrasted with the political symbolism of sunflower seeds in Chinese Communist propaganda, where leader Mao Zedong was likened to the sun and the people to the seeds, portraying a relationship of dependence and devotion. The installation's scale and uniformity evoke the vastness of China and critique the conformity and censorship imposed by the Chinese Communist Party. The individual seeds, though unique, become indistinguishable when viewed collectively, symbolizing how individuality can be suppressed within a conformist regime. By using traditional porcelain, Ai Weiwei also critiques the "Made in China" stereotype associated with mass production and consumerism, highlighting the labor-intensive craftsmanship that contrasts sharply with modern, factory-based manufacturing. The production process for Sunflower Seeds involved over 1,600 artisans from Jingdezhen, a city renowned for its porcelain artistry, working over two and a half years. This reference to Jingdezhen underscores the historical significance of porcelain in China, while the sheer number of seeds and the meticulous handcrafting challenge the notion of cheap, mass-produced goods. The work's interactive nature, although temporarily restricted, invited viewers to physically engage with the art, enhancing their perception of the installation's scale and message. The initial opportunity to walk upon the seeds allowed a deeper connection with the artwork, though the subsequent closure to interaction highlighted concerns about safety and the logistical challenges of such a vast project. Sunflower Seeds critiques not only the political landscape of China but also addresses global issues of consumerism and labor exploitation.
Ai Weiwei's Sunflower Seeds, Tate Modern, 2010, © Photograph by Mike Peel via Wikipedia
Exhibition History
Ai Weiwei's extensive solo exhibition history underscores his global prominence and diverse artistic endeavors. In 2023, he showcased "In Search of Humanity" at Kunsthal, Rotterdam, and "Making Sense" at Design Museum, London. His previous year's exhibitions included "La Commedia Umana" at Basilica di San Giorgio, Venice, and "Liberty of Doubt" at Kettle’s Yard, Cambridge. Notable 2021 exhibitions were "Intertwine" at Serralves Museum, Porto, and "Defend the Future" at National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Korea, Seoul. In 2020, he was featured in "Purgatory" at Aedes Architecture Forum, Berlin, and "History of Bombs" at Imperial War Museum, London. Major exhibitions in 2019 included "RAIZ" in Brazil, "Ai Weiwei: Unbroken" at Gardiner Museum, Toronto, and "Resetting Memories" at MUAC, Mexico City. In 2018, he presented "RAIZ" at OCA, São Paulo, and "Ai Weiwei: Fan-Tan" at Mucem, Marseille. His 2017 exhibitions featured "Inoculation" at PROA, Buenos Aires, and "Good Fences Make Good Neighbours" in New York. Previous years saw prominent shows such as "Libero" at Palazzo Strozzi, Florence, and "Around Ai Weiwei. Photographs 1983–2016" at Camera - Centro Italiano per la Fotografia, Torino in 2016, and "Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads" in 2015. Earlier exhibitions included "@Large: Ai Weiwei on Alcatraz" in 2014 and "According to What?" at Perez Art Museum Miami in 2013. His career began with "Old Shoes - Safe Sex" at Art Waves Gallery, New York in 1988 and "Ai Weiwei" at Asian Foundation, San Francisco in 1982. Additional exhibitions that highlight his global engagement include "World Classroom: Contemporary Art through School Subjects" at Mori Art Museum, Tokyo in 2023, "A Century of the Artist’s Studio, 1920-2020" at Whitechapel Gallery, London in 2022, and "Passages Insolites" at Old Quebec's Royal Battery in Canada. Ai Weiwei also participated in "Truc à faire" at Galleria Continua, Paris, and the "Summer Show" at Royal Academy of Arts, London in 2021, and "Inaugural Installations: Kinder Building" at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, "Facing the Collector" at Castello di Rivoli Museum of Contemporary Art, Torino, and "escape routes" at Bangkok Art Biennale in Thailand in 2020. Past significant shows include the 21st Biennale of Sydney (2018), "Animals: Respect / Harmony / Subjugation" at Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg (2017), and "The Big World: Recent Art from China" at Chicago Cultural Center (2009), reflecting his dynamic engagement with global art scenes and contemporary themes.
In 2008, he was honored with the Chinese Contemporary Art Awards for Lifetime Achievement. He was recognized for his moral courage by GQ Men of the Year in 2009 and ranked 43rd in ArtReview's Power 100. In 2010, Ai received an honorary doctorate from the University of Ghent, the Kassel Citizen Award, and had an asteroid named after him. The following year, he topped ArtReview's Power 100 list and received several accolades, including the Time 100 and the Wallpaper* 150. In 2012, he was awarded the Václav Havel Prize for Creative Dissent and received honorary degrees from Pratt Institute and the Royal Institute of British Architects. In 2013, Ai earned the Appraisers Association Award and was named one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People. In 2015, he received Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience Award. More recently, in 2018, he was given the Marina Kellen French Outstanding Contributions to the Arts Award, and in 2022, he was named the world’s most popular Chinese artist. In 2023, Ai was elected as an Honorary Fellow of Downing College, Cambridge.
Selena Mattei
