Ai Weiwei was born in northwest China but was sent to a labor camp in Beidahuang, Heilongjiang, when he was only a year old. There he was raised for the early years of his life. His father Aì Qīng’s involvement in the Anti-Rightist Movement led to the family's exile shortly afterward to Shihezi, Xinjiang, where Ai spent the duration of his childhood. Upon Mao Zedong’s death, the family returned to Beijing in 1976.
Following the family’s return home, Ai enrolled in the Beijing Film Academy to study animation in 1978. He was one of the founders of the avant-garde art group the Stars alongside contemporaries Ma Desheng, Wang Keping, Mao Lizi, Huang Rui, Li Shuang, Ah Cheng and Qu Leilei. The Stars disbanded in the 1980s, but Ai participated in regular shows that recalled the ten years that the group had been together, including at the Hanart Gallery in 1989 and the retrospective 2007 exhibition at Beijing's Origin Point.
Ai moved to the USA in 1981, among the earliest of students to study abroad following China’s reform in 1980, which afforded him the opportunity to take the TOEFL in 1981. He lived in Philadelphia and then in San Francisco, studying English at the University of California, Berkeley. Afteward, Ai studied at Parsons School of Design in New York City and attended the Art Students League of New York from 1983 to 1986. He initially made a living by drawing street portraits.
Immersing himself in the Pop art scene, which was rapidly gaining popularity, Ai began creating conceptual art and photography. Ai returned to China after his father became ill in 1993, and while there he helped to establish the experimental art scene called Beijing East Village. In 1999, Ai built a studio house in Beijing — his first architectural project. Ai founded the architecture studio FAKE Design in 2003, and co-curated the art exhibition "Fuck Off" with Feng Boyi in Shanghai.
In 2011, Ai was arrested and jailed. Released after 81 days, the government confiscated his passport. His release was in part due to the uproar of the art world against his charges of tax evasion; the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation and the International Council of Museums both organized petitions, collecting almost 100,000 signatures calling for his release. When he reclaimed his passport in 2015, Ai moved to Berlin and lived in a studio. It became a base for him to create his international work.
Ai is the artistic director of China Art Archives & Warehouse. The experimental gallery and archive, co-founded by Ai in 1997, concentrates on experimental art from the People’s Republic of China, initiating and facilitating exhibitions both in China and internationally.
Ai's work is in the collections of museums worldwide, including the Tate, London; Arken, London; Brooklyn Museum, New York; and the RA, London. His international architectural collaborations, including the Beijing National Stadium and the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion, have consistently been met with critical acclaim.
Find a variety of authentic Ai Weiwei prints, paintings and other art today on 1stDibs.
AI WEIWEI - Coca-Cola Glass Vase. Limited edition modern glass sculpture
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Madrid, Madrid
Ai Weiwei - Coca-Cola Glass Vase Date of creation: 2023 Medium: Translucent red glass Edition: 300 Size: 19 x 21 x 21.2 cm Condition: In mint conditions, brand new and never displaye...
Glass
AI WEIWEI - CEDAR (I). Limited edition sculpture, Contemporary, Modern design
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Madrid, Madrid
AI WEIWEI - CEDAR (I) Date of creation: 2023 Medium: Cast aluminium Edition: 50 + 2 A/P Size: 20 x 15.8 x 14.4 cm Condition: In mint conditions, brand new and never displayed ABOUT...
Metal
"Coca Cola" Vase
By Ai Weiwei
Located in London, GB
Murano, cast vase in translucent red glass. Includes original packaging and ply presentation box. Edition of 300. Produced in 2023. This work comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Glass
Contemporary Murano Glass Vases in Five Colours, Signed, 2024
By Ai Weiwei
Located in New York, NY
'Vases in Five Colours', 2024 Ai Weiwei Murano Glass Sculpture 8.7 x .8.1 in. / 22 x 21 cm. Edition of 100, Signed and numbered on accompanying certific...
Glass
$6,176
To Be Looked At... Ai Weiwei metal limited edition aluminium abstract sculpture
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Bristol, GB
CNC cut aluminium sculpture Edition 33 of 200 15.2 x 35 x 17.5 cm (6 x 13.8 x 7 in) Signature and edition number engraved on bottom of sculpture Artwork in excellent condition. Minut...
Metal
Ai Weiwei Pequi Tree Minature Tin Sculpture 1/100 Scale Edition of 250
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Draper, UT
Pequi Tree Miniature is a sculpture, created from the most recent work by Ai Weiwei, Pequi Tree, 2018-2020, and produced at a 1/100 scale. The sculpture is...
Metal
$1,617Sale Price|20% Off
Guardian, 2024 by Ai Weiwei, Silkscreen, Chinese, Symbolism, Contemporary Art
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Zug, CH
Ai Weiwei Guardian 2024 2 colour silkscreen with a metallic glitter base layer, printed on 410gsm Somerset Tub Sized Radiant White paper 59.94 × 59.94 cm (23.6 × 23.6 in) Signed and ...
Paper, Glitter
Untitled (Coca Cola) By AI Weiwei
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Dubai, Dubai
Untitled (Coca Cola) By AI Weiwei Ai Weiwei is a renowned Chinese contemporary artist and activist whose diverse body of work spans sculpture, installations, and social commentary...
Paper
$74,229Sale Price|20% Off
Study of Perspective in Glass (Set of 6) by Ai Weiwei–Contemporary
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Zug, CH
Ai Weiwei Study of Perspective in Glass (Set of 6) 2020 Murano Glass Casting 12.5 × 10 × 9 cm (4.9 × 3.9 × 3.5 in) Hand-signed by artist, Signed and numbered on accompanying certific...
Glass
Ai Weiwei, Coca-Cola Vase (Blue)
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Hamburg, DE
Ai Weiwei (Chinese, b. 1957) Coca-Cola Vase (Blue), 2024 Medium: Glass sculpture (Murano) Dimensions: 20.5 x 22 cm (8.07 × 8.66 in) Edition of 100: Engraved signature on base, ha...
Glass
To Be Looked At...
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Calabasas, CA
Artist: Ai Weiwei Title: To Be Looked At... Year: 2024 Medium: CNC cut aluminum sculpture; signature and edition number engraved on reverse Dimensions: 6 × 14 × 7 in (15.2 × 35.6 × 1...
Metal
Pequi Tree
By Ai Weiwei
Located in London, GB
Ai Weiwei Pequi Tree Miniature, 2021 Tin 12 3/5 × 3 1/10 in 32 × 8 cm Edition of 250 The "Pequi Tree" is a notable installation by the renowned Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. This artwo...
Metal
Contemporary Resin Hand Sculpture, Signed Limited Edition 2017
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Vancouver, CA
"Ai Weiwei's 'Artist Hand' is a striking sculpture that boldly presents a cast of the artist's hand with his middle finger extended. More than just a gesture, it encapsulates Ai Weiw...
Resin
$11,182
Ai Weiwei, Coca-Cola Glass Vase - Limited Edition Sculpture, Engraved Signature
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Hamburg, DE
Ai Weiwei (Chinese, b. 1957) Coca-Cola Glass Vase, 2023 Medium: Cast vase in translucent red glass Dimensions: ⌀ 19 cm x 21 cm x 21.2 cm (7 1/2 × 8 3/10 × 8 3/10 in) Edition of 300: ...
Glass
Ai Weiwei, To Be Looked At…
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Hamburg, DE
Ai Weiwei (Chinese, b. 1957) To Be Looked At…, 2024 Medium: Aluminium sculpture Dimensions: 15.2 × 35 × 17.5 cm (6 × 13 4/5 × 6 9/10 in) Edition of 200: Signature and edition num...
Metal
$24,743Sale Price|20% Off
Vases in Five Colours (Set of 5), 2024 by Ai Weiwei, Murano Glass
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Zug, CH
Ai Weiwei Vases in Five Colours (Set of 5) 2024 Murano Glass 20.5 × 20.5 × 22 cm Signed and numbered on accompanying certificate and inscribed on the bottom Less than 40 compiled wit...
Glass
Ai Weiwei, Pequi Tree - Limited Edition Sculpture, Chinese Contemporary Art
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Hamburg, DE
The Pequi Tree Miniature is based on Ai Weiwei's 32 meter sculpture, Pequi Tree from 2018-2020, and was produced at a 1/100 scale. As the large cast iron sculpture, the miniature wit...
Metal
$11,134Sale Price|22% Off
Vases in Black and White (Set of 2), 2024 by Ai Weiwei, Murano Glass
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Zug, CH
Ai Weiwei Vases in Black and White (Set of 2) 2024 Murano Glass 20.5 × 20.5 × 22 cm Signed and numbered on accompanying certificate and inscribed on the bottom Less than 20 compiled with matching numbers out of the total edition of 100. In excellent condition PLEASE NOTE: Edition numbers could vary from the one shown in the images. Ai Weiwei often explores the intersection between ancient tradition and contemporary global culture. His earlier works such as Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn...
Glass
3D Printing of My Left Hand - 3D Hand Chinese Edition of 20
By Ai Weiwei
Located in London, GB
This aluminium sculpture was created by the artist Ai Wei Wei. It is numbered in black ink from the edition of 20, on an affixed label. There were also two artist’s proofs aside from...
Metal
$35,000
H 57 in W 36 in D 45 in
PRINCE BLAZE (The Official Dragon Prince Of 2024: The Year Of The Dragon)
By Mauro Oliveira
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
**NEW YEAR FINAL 90 DAYS SALE UNTIL MARCH 31ST** **STORE CLOSURE - UP TO 80% OFF - TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT** **EVERYTHING MUST GO UNTIL APRIL1ST!** >>Th...
Metal
Cobalt Swallows (Qty 13)
Located in Napa, CA
Rob Snyder, a Northwest native, is a highly accomplished glass artist who resides and operates his studio on picturesque Vashon Island, Washington. With nearly thirty years of ded...
Glass
$1,800
H 15 in W 12 in D 6 in
CHRIOMA aka Rick Wolfryd SNOOPY TP .0003 . . . best of CHROMA 2026
By CHROMA aka Rick Wolfryd
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
CHROMA — Beaded Snoop Dawg Figure (Huichol Technique) A sculptural reinterpretation of an iconic cultural figure through the CHROMA language—where contemporary form meets traditiona...
Glass, Mixed Media
I.D. Bracelet
By Esperanza Cortes
Located in New Orleans, LA
ESPERANZA CORTÉS is a Colombian born contemporary multidisciplinary artist based in New York City. Cortés has exhibited in the United States in solo and group exhibitions in venues including Smack Mellon Gallery, Neuberger Museum of Art, Bronx Museum of Art, Queens Museum, El Museo Del Barrio, MoMA PS1, Socrates Sculpture Park and White-box Gallery in New York City. Nationally Cortes exhibitions include Cleveland Art Museum, OH, CSU Galleries at Cleveland University, OH, Helen Day Art Center, VT and The Lorenzo Homar...
Metal
"Pinky" Small Pac-Man Ghost Glass Sculpture
By Dylan Martinez
Located in East Quogue, NY
"Pinky" - Small Glass Pac-Man Ghost Sculpture by Dylan Martinez. Size: 5" h x 4.5" w. Signed on the base by the artist. Each sculpture is unique. These whimsical Pac-Man Ghost scu...
Blown Glass
$1,800
H 15 in W 12 in D 6 in
CHROMA aka Rick Wolfryd SNOOPY TP .0004 . . . BEST OF CHROMA 2026
By CHROMA aka Rick Wolfryd
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
CHROMA — Beaded Snoop Dawg Figure (Huichol Technique) A sculptural reinterpretation of an iconic cultural figure through the CHROMA language—where contemporary form meets traditiona...
Glass, Mixed Media
$3,182
H 6.7 in W 8.27 in D 7.09 in
JAVIER CALLEJA - Pop Top' Planter Pot Limited edition Modern Anime Design
By Javier Calleja
Located in Madrid, Madrid
JAVIER CALLEJA - Pop Top' Planter Pot Date of creation: 2020 Medium: Ceramic, crystal Edition: 500 Size: 17 x 21 x 18 cm Condition: In mint condition, brand new and never framed The...
Ceramic, Glass
$1,080Sale Price|60% Off
H 12 in W 12.5 in D 12.5 in
CHROMA aka Rick Wolfryd "STORMTROOPER HELMET" from Huichol ALTERATIONS
By CHROMA aka Rick Wolfryd
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
"STORMTROOPER HELMET" ALTERATION ART . . .is a collaboration process between Rick Wolfryd, fin artist and art dealer with over 40 years experience, and various Mexican Huichol arti...
Glass, Plastic, Mixed Media
$1,670
H 16 in W 24 in D 6 in
Trio Amigos Disney Sculpture, Pop Art, Resin and Glitter, 21st Century
By Mauro Oliveira
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
**NEW YEAR FINAL 90 DAYS SALE UNTIL MARCH 31ST** **STORE CLOSURE - UP TO 80% OFF - TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT** **EVERYTHING MUST GO UNTIL APRIL1ST!** TRIO AMIGOS i...
Resin, Plastic, Glass, Wood, Glitter, Acrylic, Wood Panel
$1,800
H 12 in W 14 in D 2 in
"Gay Armory" Ceramic weapons, Sailor Moon, pink, wood motif, Nostalgia, 90's
By Jeff Rubio
Located in Philadelphia, PA
"Gay Armory" is an original piece by Jeff Rubio made from stoneware, glaze, epoxy clay, 22k gold. This pieces measures 12"h x 11.5"w x 2"d and comes with a signed Certificate of Auth...
Gold
$550
H 7.88 in W 7.88 in D 0.99 in
French Contemporary Art by Paul Gallaud - Acrylic Osmose 01
By Paul Gallaud
Located in Paris, IDF
Acrylic glossy glass + inkjet painting Paul Gallaud is a French visual artist born in 1984 who lives and works in Croix, near Lille, France. After graduating with a BAC STI Applied ...
Acrylic, Glass, Inkjet
$2,100
H 17.5 in W 9.5 in D 10 in
CHROMA aka Rick Wolfryd ARTURITO . . . . . . . BEST OF CHROMA 2026
By CHROMA aka Rick Wolfryd
Located in Cuauhtemoc, Ciudad de México
CHROMA — “ARTURITO” Beaded R2D2 Figure (Huichol Technique) A sculptural reinterpretation of one of the most recognizable science-fiction forms through the CHROMA language—where futur...
Glass, Mixed Media, Resin
Sold
H 12.6 in W 4.73 in D 3.15 in
AI WEIWEI - PEQUI TREE. Limited edition sculpture, Contemporary, Modern design
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Madrid, Madrid
AI WEIWEI - PEQUI TREE Date of creation: 2021 Medium: Tin sculpture Edition: 250 Size: 32 x 12 x 8 cm Condition: In mint conditions, brand new and never displayed ABOUT THE WORK Li...
Metal
Sold
H 7.49 in W 8.27 in D 8.35 in
AI WEIWEI - Coca-Cola Glass Vase. Limited edition modern glass sculpture
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Madrid, Madrid
Ai Weiwei - Coca-Cola Glass Vase Date of creation: 2023 Medium: Translucent red glass Edition: 300 Size: 19 x 21 x 21.2 cm Condition: In mint conditions, brand new and never displaye...
Glass
Sold
H 7.88 in W 6.23 in D 5.67 in
AI WEIWEI - CEDAR (I). Limited edition sculpture, Contemporary, Modern design
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Madrid, Madrid
AI WEIWEI - CEDAR (I) Date of creation: 2023 Medium: Cast aluminium Edition: 50 + 2 A/P Size: 20 x 15.8 x 14.4 cm Condition: In mint conditions, brand new and never displayed ABOUT...
Metal
Sold
H 12.6 in W 4.73 in D 3.15 in
AI WEIWEI - PEQUI TREE. Limited edition sculpture, Contemporary, Modern design
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Madrid, Madrid
AI WEIWEI - PEQUI TREE Date of creation: 2021 Medium: Tin sculpture Edition: 250 Size: 32 x 12 x 8 cm Condition: In mint conditions, brand new and never displayed ABOUT THE WORK Li...
Metal
Sold
H 7.49 in W 8.27 in D 8.35 in
AI WEIWEI - Coca-Cola Glass Vase. Limited edition modern glass sculpture
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Madrid, Madrid
Ai Weiwei - Coca-Cola Glass Vase Date of creation: 2023 Medium: Translucent red glass Edition: 300 Size: 19 x 21 x 21.2 cm Condition: In mint conditions, brand new and never displaye...
Glass
Sold
H 7.88 in W 6.23 in D 5.67 in
AI WEIWEI - CEDAR (I). Limited edition sculpture, Contemporary, Modern design
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Madrid, Madrid
AI WEIWEI - CEDAR (I) Date of creation: 2023 Medium: Cast aluminium Edition: 50 + 2 A/P Size: 20 x 15.8 x 14.4 cm Condition: In mint conditions, brand new and never displayed ABOUT...
Metal
Coca-Cola Glass Vase
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Madrid, Madrid
Ai Weiwei - Coca-Cola Glass Vase Date of creation: 2023 Medium: Translucent red glass Edition: 300 Size: 19 x 21 x 21.2 cm Condition: In mint conditions, brand new and never displaye...
Glass
Sold
H 12.6 in W 4.73 in D 3.15 in
AI WEIWEI - PEQUI TREE. Limited edition sculpture, Contemporary, Modern design
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Madrid, Madrid
AI WEIWEI - PEQUI TREE Date of creation: 2021 Medium: Tin sculpture Edition: 250 Size: 32 x 12 x 8 cm Condition: In mint conditions, brand new and never displayed ABOUT THE WORK Li...
Metal
Sold
H 7.88 in W 6.23 in D 5.67 in
AI WEIWEI - CEDAR (I). Limited edition sculpture, Contemporary, Modern design
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Madrid, Madrid
AI WEIWEI - CEDAR (I) Date of creation: 2023 Medium: Cast aluminium Edition: 50 + 2 A/P Size: 20 x 15.8 x 14.4 cm Condition: In mint conditions, brand new and never displayed ABOUT...
Metal
Sold
H 5.91 in W 3.94 in D 3.55 in
Study of Perspective in Glass (Violet) -Contemporary, 21st Century, Ai Weiwei
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Zug, CH
Study of Perspective in Glass (Violet) -Contemporary, 21st Century, Ai Weiwei, China Study of Perspective in Glass (Violet), 2018-2019 Murano Gla...
Glass
Artist's Hand
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Washington , DC, DC
Comes with original box
Resin
Sold
H 5.52 in W 1.97 in
Everything is Art, Everything is Politics, Wood Sculpture 2015 by Ai Weiwei
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Dubai, Dubai
Everything is Art, Everything is Politics, Wood Sculpture 2015 Wood New, unused condition. Printed text on base. 5.5 × 2 in 14 × 5 cm
Wood