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Ai Weiwei

A global citizen, artist and thinker, Ai Weiwei moves between modes of production and investigation, subject to the direction and outcome of his research, whether into the Chinese earthquake of 2008 (for works such as Straight, 2008-12 and Remembering, 2009) or the worldwide plight of refugees and forced migrants (for Law of the Journey and his feature-length documentary, Human Flow, both 2017). From early iconoclastic positions in regards to authority and history, which included Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn and a series of middle-finger salutes to sites of power, Study of Perspective (both 1995), Ai’s production expanded to encompass architecture, public art and performance. Beyond concerns of form or protest, Ai now measures our existence in relation to economic, political, natural and social forces, uniting craftsmanship with conceptual creativity. Universal symbols of humanity and community, such as bicycles, flowers and trees, as well as the perennial problems of borders and conflicts are given renewed potency though installations, sculptures, films and photographs, while Ai continues to speak out publicly on issues he believes important. He is one of the leading cultural figures of his generation and serves as an example for free expression both in China and internationally.

Ai Weiwei was born in 1957 in Beijing and now lives and works in Portugal. He attended Beijing Film Academy and later, on moving to New York (1983–1993), continued his studies at the Parsons School of Design. Major solo exhibitions include Ordrupgaard Museum, Denmark (2024); MUSAC, Leon, Spain (2024); Kunsthal Rotterdam, Netherlands (2023); Pilane Sculpture Park, Sweden (2023); The Design Museum, London, UK (2023); Albertina Modern, Vienna, Austria (2022); Kettle's Yard, Cambridge, UK (2022); Serralves Museum, Porto, Portugal (2021); Cordoaria Nacional, Lisbon, Portugal (2021); Imperial War Museum, London, UK (2020); K20/K21, Düsseldorf, Germany (2019); OCA, São Paulo, Brazil (2018); Corpartes, Santiago, Chile (2018); Mucem, Marseille, France (2018); PROA, Buenos Aires, Argentina (2017); Sakip Sabanci, Museum, Istanbul, Turkey (2017); Public Art Fund, New York, NY, USA (2017); Israel Museum, Jerusalem (2017); Palazzo Strozzi, Florence, Italy  (2016); 21er Haus, Vienna, Austria (2016); Helsinki Art Museum, Finland (2016); Royal Academy, London, UK (2015); Martin Gropius Bau, Berlin, Germany (2014); Indianapolis Museum of Art, IN, USA (2013); Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Washington D.C., USA (2012); Taipei Fine Arts Museum, Taiwan (2011); Tate Modern, London, UK (2010) and Haus der Kunst, Munich, Germany (2009). Architectural collaborations include the 2012 Serpentine Pavilion and the 2008 Beijing Olympic Stadium, with Herzog and de Meuron. Among numerous awards and honours, he won the lifetime achievement award from the Chinese Contemporary Art Awards in 2008 and was made Honorary Academician at the Royal Academy of Arts, London in 2011. His human rights work has been recognised through the Václav Havel Prize for Creative Dissent in 2012 and Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience Award in 2015. 

 

Recent, current and forthcoming projects

'Ai Weiwei - Water Lilies #1', Ordrupgaard Museum, Denmark (31 May 2024 – 19 January 2025)

Ai Weiwei: Don Quixote, Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Castilla y Leon (MUSAC), León, Spain (9 November 2024 - 18 May 2025)

Black Chandelier

Ai Weiwei
Black Chandelier

2017-2021
Glass, metal parts
240 x 185 x 185 cm
94 1/2 x 72 7/8 x 72 7/8 in
Edition of 4 + 1AP + 1PP

Fly

Ai Weiwei
Fly

2019
Cast iron, 173 x 396 x 288 cm / 68 x 155 7/8 x 113 3/8 in. Courtesy of Ai Weiwei Studio, Lisson Gallery and neugerremschneider

Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen Cut in Nine Pieces

Ai Weiwei
Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen Cut in Nine Pieces

2018-19
Soap, 33 x 100 x 33 cm each / 12 7/8 x 39 1/4 x 12 7/8 in each, Parts 1-9. Courtesy of Ai Weiwei Studio, Cahiers d'Art. Copyright Gaetane Girard.

The Navigation Route of the Sea Watch 3 Migrant Rescue Vessel, June 2019

Ai Weiwei
The Navigation Route of the Sea Watch 3 Migrant Rescue Vessel, June 2019

2019
Lego bricks, 308 x 308 x 3.1 cm /121 1/4 x 121 1/4 x 1 1/8 in

Illumination

Ai Weiwei
Illumination

2019
Lego bricks, 308 x 385 x 3.1 cm 121 1/4 x 151 1/2 x 1 1/8 in

The Cover Page of The Mueller Report, Submitted to Attorney General William Barr by Robert Mueller on March 22, 2019

Ai Weiwei
The Cover Page of The Mueller Report, Submitted to Attorney General William Barr by Robert Mueller on March 22, 2019

2019
Lego bricks, 462 x 346.5 x 3.1 cm / 181 7/8 x 136 3/8 x 1 1/8 in

Study of Perspective in Glass

Ai Weiwei
Study of Perspective in Glass

2018
Glass 12.1 x 9.8 x 10.5 cm 4 3/4 x 3 3/4 x 4 1/8 in ed. 1 of 100

Level

Ai Weiwei
Level

2019
Cast iron, 198 x 434 x 237 cm / 77 7/8 x 170 3/4 x 93 1/4 in. Courtesy Ai Weiwei Studio, Lisson Gallery and neugerremschneider.

Iron Root

Ai Weiwei
Iron Root

2018
Cast iron 46 x 42 x 70 cm 18 1/8 x 16 1/2 x 27 1/2 in

Iron Root

Ai Weiwei
Iron Root

2018
Cast iron 14 x 11 x 37 cm 5 1/2 x 4 3/8 x 14 5/8 in

Iron Root

Ai Weiwei
Iron Root

2018
Cast iron 30 x 24 x 20 cm 11 3/4 x 9 1/2 x 7 7/8 in

Porcelain Vase (Demonstrations)

Ai Weiwei
Porcelain Vase (Demonstrations)

2017
Porcelain, 52 x 50.5 x 50.5 cm / 20 3/8 x 19 7/8 x 19 7/8 in

Porcelain Pillar with Refugee Motif

Ai Weiwei
Porcelain Pillar with Refugee Motif

2017
6 stacked porcelain vases, 52 x 50.5 x 27 cm (each vase)/ 20 1/2 x 19 7/8 x 10 5/8 in

Blue-and-White Porcelain Plate (Journey)

Ai Weiwei
Blue-and-White Porcelain Plate (Journey)

2017
Porcelain, 8.5 x 52 x 52 cm / 3 1/4 x 20 3/8 x 20 3/8 in

Law of the Journey

Ai Weiwei
Law of the Journey

2017
Inflatable rubber boat with 258 oversize refugee figures, 6000 x 600 x 300 cm / 2362 1/4 x 236 1/4 x 118 1/8 in. Courtesy of the National Gallery, Prague

Odyssey

Ai Weiwei
Odyssey

2016
Wallpaper Dimensions variable

Broken Wings In Dreams of Flying

Ai Weiwei
Broken Wings In Dreams of Flying

2015
Bamboo and silk, 305 x 350 x 105 cm /120 x 137 3/4 x 41 1/4 in

Wave

Ai Weiwei
Wave

2015
Porcelain, 18 x 48 x 37 cm / 7 x 18 7/8 x 14 1/2 in

Feet, 2010, and Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn

Ai Weiwei
Feet, 2010, and Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn

2015
Installation view, 'Ai Weiwei: Bare Life', Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, St. Louis, MO, USA. Courtesy Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum

All Fingers Must Point Down

Ai Weiwei
All Fingers Must Point Down

2015
Bamboo and silk, 300 x 711 x 210 cm /118 x 279 7/8 x 82 5/8 in

Fondation

Ai Weiwei
Fondation

2015
Oak Wood and Stone 47 x 827.5 x 622.5 cm / 18 1/2 x 326 x 245 in.

Bicycle Chandelier

Ai Weiwei
Bicycle Chandelier

2015
Bicycles and glass crystal 500 x 430 x 430 cm / 197 x 169 x 169 in.

Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn

Ai Weiwei
Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn

2015
LEGO bricks, Each panel: 230 x 192 x 3 cm / 90 1/2 x 75 1/2 x 1 1/8 in

Tiger, Tiger, Tiger

Ai Weiwei
Tiger, Tiger, Tiger

2015
Porcelain 1000 x 500 cm 393 3/4 x 196 7/8 in

Tiger, Tiger, Tiger

Ai Weiwei
Tiger, Tiger, Tiger

2015
Porcelain 1000 x 500 cm 393 3/4 x 196 7/8 in

Surveillance Camera with Marble Stand

Ai Weiwei
Surveillance Camera with Marble Stand

2015
117.5 x 52 x 52 cm / 46 x 20 1/2 x 20 1/2 in.

Pusher, Cao

Ai Weiwei
Pusher, Cao

2014
Installation view Royal Academy, 2015 Dimensions variable

Plate with Flowers

Ai Weiwei
Plate with Flowers

2014
Porcelain 46 x 46 x 6.5 cm / 18 x 18 x 2 1/2 in.

Shelter

Ai Weiwei
Shelter

2014
Marble, 72 x 95 x 72 cm / 28 3/8 x 37 3/8 x 28 3/8 in

Study of Perspective, 1995-2011

Ai Weiwei
Study of Perspective, 1995-2011

2014
Series of 40 b/w and colour c-prints / diasec Dimensions variable

Forever

Ai Weiwei
Forever

2014
1254 Bicycles Dimensions variable

Crystal Cube

Ai Weiwei
Crystal Cube

2014
Crystal, 100 x 100 x 100cm 39 3/8 x 39 3/8 x 39 3/8 in

Lantern

Ai Weiwei
Lantern

2014
Marble 58 x 51 cm / 23 x 20 in.

Han Dynasty Vases in Auto Paint

Ai Weiwei
Han Dynasty Vases in Auto Paint

2013
Han Dynasty vases (202 BC-202 AC) and paint 43 x 39 x 39 cm / 17 x 15 x 15 in. 46 x 42 x 42 cm / 18 x 16 1/2 x 16 1/2 in.

Forever

Ai Weiwei
Forever

2013
Stainless steel bicycles in gilding 3 pairs 8 layers 282 x 317 x 207 cm / 111 x 125 x 81 1/2 in.

Iron Tree

Ai Weiwei
Iron Tree

2013
Installed dims: 710 x 710 x 628 cm / 279 1/2 x 279 1/2 x 247 in.

Souvenir from Shanghai

Ai Weiwei
Souvenir from Shanghai

2012
Concrete and brick rubble from Ai Weiwei's destroyed Shanghai studio, set in a wooden frame
260 x 380 x 170 cm
102 3/8 x 149 5/8 x 66 7/8 in

S.A.C.R.E.D.

Ai Weiwei
S.A.C.R.E.D.

2011-2013
Six-part work composed of (i) S upper, (ii) A ccusers, (iii) C leansing, (iv) R itual, (v) E ntropy, (vi) D oubt. Six dioramas in fiberglass and iron Each: 377 x 197 x 148.4 cm / 148 1/2 x 77 1/2 x 58 1/2 in.

S.A.C.R.E.D.

Ai Weiwei
S.A.C.R.E.D.

2011-2013
Six-part work composed of (i) S upper, (ii) A ccusers, (iii) C leansing, (iv) R itual, (v) E ntropy, (vi) D oubt. Six dioramas in fiberglass and iron Each: 377 x 197 x 148.4 cm / 148 1/2 x 77 1/2 x 58 1/2 in.

S.A.C.R.E.D.

Ai Weiwei
S.A.C.R.E.D.

2011-2013
Six-part work composed of (i) S upper, (ii) A ccusers, (iii) C leansing, (iv) R itual, (v) E ntropy, (vi) D oubt. Six dioramas in fiberglass and iron Each: 377 x 197 x 148.4 cm / 148 1/2 x 77 1/2 x 58 1/2 in.

S.A.C.R.E.D.

Ai Weiwei
S.A.C.R.E.D.

2011-2013
Six-part work composed of (i) S upper, (ii) A ccusers, (iii) C leansing, (iv) R itual, (v) E ntropy, (vi) D oubt. Six dioramas in fiberglass and iron Each: 377 x 197 x 148.4 cm / 148 1/2 x 77 1/2 x 58 1/2 in.

S.A.C.R.E.D.

Ai Weiwei
S.A.C.R.E.D.

2011-2013
Six-part work composed of (i) S upper, (ii) A ccusers, (iii) C leansing, (iv) R itual, (v) E ntropy, (vi) D oubt. Six dioramas in fiberglass and iron Each: 377 x 197 x 148.4 cm / 148 1/2 x 77 1/2 x 58 1/2 in.

S.A.C.R.E.D.

Ai Weiwei
S.A.C.R.E.D.

2011-2013
Six-part work composed of (i) S upper, (ii) A ccusers, (iii) C leansing, (iv) R itual, (v) E ntropy, (vi) D oubt. Six dioramas in fiberglass and iron Each: 377 x 197 x 148.4 cm / 148 1/2 x 77 1/2 x 58 1/2 in.

Marble Rebar

Ai Weiwei
Marble Rebar

2012
81 x 50 x 21 cm / 32 x 20 x 8 in.

F Size

Ai Weiwei
F Size

2012
Huali wood Diameter: 130cm / 51.2 in.

Souvenir from Shanghai

Ai Weiwei
Souvenir from Shanghai

2012
Installation view, 'Ai Weiwei: Bare Life', Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, St. Louis, MO, USA. Courtesy Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum

Straight

Ai Weiwei
Straight

2008-2012

Steel rebar

Dimensions variable

Straight

Ai Weiwei
Straight

2008-2012

Steel rebar

Dimensions variable

Straight

Ai Weiwei
Straight

2008-2012

Steel rebar

Dimensions variable

Sofa in Black

Ai Weiwei
Sofa in Black

2011
Marble 85 x 92 x 92 cm / 33 1/2 x 36 x 36 in.

Trees

Ai Weiwei
Trees

2010
Tree sections Dimensions variable Installation at Royal Academy, 2015

Divina Proportione

Ai Weiwei
Divina Proportione

2010
Huali Wood Diameter: 169 cm / 66 1/2 in.

Untitled

Ai Weiwei
Untitled

2010
Huali wood Diameter: 70 cm / 27 1/2 in. each

Colored Vases

Ai Weiwei
Colored Vases

2010
31 Han Dynasty vases and industrial paint Dimensions variable

Circle of Animals / Zodiac Heads

Ai Weiwei
Circle of Animals / Zodiac Heads

2010
12 Bronze cast animal heads Dimensions variable

Sunflower Seeds

Ai Weiwei
Sunflower Seeds

2010
100 million hand painted ceramic seeds, Dimensions variable. © Ai Weiwei Studio; Courtesy of Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen. Photography by Achim Kukulies.

Hanging Man in Porcelain

Ai Weiwei
Hanging Man in Porcelain

2009
Porcelain in Huali wood frame with silver 50 x 43.5 x 3.5 cm / 20 x 17 x 1 1/3 in.

Table with two legs on the wall

Ai Weiwei
Table with two legs on the wall

1997/2006
Qing dynasty wooden table, 125.4 x 99.1 x 125.4 cm / 49 3/8 x 39 x 49 3/8 in

Moon Chests

Ai Weiwei
Moon Chests

2008
Huali wood 320 x 160 x 80 cm each / 126 x 63 x 31 1/2 in. each

Ghost Gu

Ai Weiwei
Ghost Gu

2007
Porcelain 28.5 x 35 x 35 cm / 11 x 13 2/3 x 13 2/3 in.

Ghost Gu

Ai Weiwei
Ghost Gu

2007
Porcelain 28.5 x 35 x 35 cm / 11 x 13 2/3 x 13 2/3 in.

Through

Ai Weiwei
Through

2007
Installation view, 'Ai Weiwei: Bare Life', Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum, St. Louis, MO, USA. Courtesy Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum

Marble Doors

Ai Weiwei
Marble Doors

2006
Marble 18 doors 210 x 80 x 6 cm each / 82 1/2 x 31 1/2 x 2 1/2 in. each

Watermelon

Ai Weiwei
Watermelon

2006
Porcelain Diameter: 38 cm / 15 in.

Golden One Man Shoe

Ai Weiwei
Golden One Man Shoe

1987
Leather shoe with gold leaf in wood frame
68 x 38 x 16 cm
26 3/4 x 15 x 6 1/4 in

Exhibitions

  1. Selected works in London - past exhibition

    Selected works in London

    8 December 2020 – 12 January 2021

  2. Horizon - past exhibition

    Horizon

    6 October – 31 October 2020

  3. Ai Weiwei: Roots - past exhibition

    Ai Weiwei: Roots

    2 October – 2 November 2019

  4. Ai Weiwei: Fondation  - past exhibition

    Ai Weiwei: Fondation

    24 November 2016 – 7 January 2017

  5. Ai Weiwei: Roots and Branches - past exhibition

    Ai Weiwei: Roots and Branches

    5 November – 23 December 2016

  6. Ai Weiwei - past exhibition

    Ai Weiwei

    23 May – 19 July 2014

  7. Ai Weiwei: Disposition - past exhibition

    Ai Weiwei: Disposition

    29 May – 15 September 2013

  8. Ai Weiwei - past exhibition

    Ai Weiwei

    12 April – 25 May 2012

  9. Ai Weiwei - past exhibition

    Ai Weiwei

    13 May – 16 July 2011

Shop

  1. Trees

    Trees

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