Ai Weiwei
Chinese·b. 1957
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Ai Weiwei (born 1957) is a Chinese artist and activist whose large-scale installations, sculptures, and provocations have made him one of the most visible artists in the world. The son of poet Ai Qing, he spent his childhood in labor camps during the Cultural Revolution before studying in Beijing and moving to New York in 1981, where he lived for over a decade.
Ai's work blends traditional Chinese craft with contemporary conceptual art and sharp political commentary. Sunflower Seeds (2010) filled the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern with 100 million hand-painted porcelain seeds. He was detained by Chinese authorities for 81 days in 2011, an experience that only amplified his international profile. Our collection includes 3 works at Tate Britain and the Seattle Asian Art Museum.
Paintings by Ai Weiwei
1 painting catalogued with museum locations
Sculptures by Ai Weiwei
2 sculptures catalogued with museum locations. Browse all sculptures
Museums with Ai Weiwei's Work
2 museums display Weiwei's works. Click any museum to see visiting info and the specific works they hold.
About Ai Weiwei
Ai Weiwei is known for politically charged installations and sculptures that challenge authoritarian power. His work spans architecture (the Beijing Bird's Nest stadium), sculpture, film, and social media activism.
Tate in London, the Guggenheim in New York, and museums worldwide hold his pieces. His work frequently appears in major international exhibitions and public installations.
Chinese authorities detained him for 81 days in 2011, officially for tax evasion but widely understood as punishment for his outspoken criticism of government corruption and human rights abuses. He left China in 2015.
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