Ai Weiwei

Sculptor

Birthday May 18, 1957

Birth Sign Taurus

Birthplace Beijing, China

Age 66 years old

#120242 Most Popular

About

Installation artist, rebel, sculptor, architect, filmmaker, and photographer who helped design the Beijing National Stadium.

Before Fame

He and his family lived in a Chinese labor camp and later, in exile. They returned to Beijing in 1976, and Ai studied animation at the Beijing Film Academy.

Trivia

His famous 2010 installation art work, "Sunflower Seeds," served as political and social commentary on Chinese mass consumption, collective work, famine, and industry. A documentary was made about him called "Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry" in 2012.

Family Life

He married the artist Lu Qing and had an extramarital affair that produced a son. His father was the Chinese poet Ai Qing.

Associated With

He lived and studied in New York City during the 1980s and early 90s. During this period, he was introduced to the work of pop artist Andy Warhol.