Ai Weiwei Short biography
Ai Weiwei is a Chinese contemporary artist and activist. His work has often centered on human rights abuses, freedom of expression, and the state of democracy in China. Ai Weiwei has been outspokenly critical of the Chinese government, which has often led to him being harassed, detained, and censored.
Born in Beijing in 1957, Ai spent his early childhood in a labor camp in Xinjiang, where his family was sent after his father, the renowned poet Ai Qing, was denounced during the Anti-Rightist Movement. He later returned to Beijing and studied at the Beijing Film Academy. In 1981, Ai moved to New York City, where he lived for 12 years and became involved in the Chinese avant-garde art movement. In 1993, he returned to Beijing and co-founded the China Art Archives & Warehouse (CAAW), a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting contemporary art in China.
Ai's work has been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world. He is a vocal critic of the Chinese government and has been arrested and detained on multiple occasions for his activism. Ai is a strong supporter of free speech and human rights, and he has used his art to raise awareness of these issues. Ai Weiwei is a controversial figure, but he is also one of the most important artists of his generation.
