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 Limited Edition Signed Collector Book with Silk Scarf by TASCHEN
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This book is a sealed copy of a SOLD OUT Limited Edition by TASCHEN. This book is number 587 of 1000. The volume is wrapped in a silk scarf (110 cm x 100 cm, Habotai silk), based on...
Silk, Paper
$700 / item
The China Bag 'Zodiac' Tote by Ai Weiwei
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Jersey City, NJ
White PVC bag with transparent inlay Measures: 18.5 x 25.4 inches (without handles) Edition of 2,500 Custom gift box This limited edition tote by Ai Weiwei is both the ultimate beac...
PVC
Ai Weiwei, the Silk Scarf ‘Citizens’ Investigation’
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Papercutting is a traditional Chinese art going back 2,000 years. The colored, intricately cut papers are used as a story-telling medium in festivities, for prayers, and as everyday ...
Silk
$300 / item
Haircut Scarf by Ai Weiwei
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Jersey City, NJ
100% silk scarf handwoven and hand-silkscreened finished with hand-rolled edges Measures: 35.4 x 35.4 inches edition of 2,500 custom gift box The scarf takes its motif from a...
Silk
Ai Weiwei, The Silk Scarf ‘Haircut’
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Papercutting is a traditional Chinese art going back 2,000 years. The colored, intricately cut papers are used as a story-telling medium in fes...
Silk
The China Bag 'Cats & Dogs' Tote by Ai Weiwei
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Red PVC bag with transparent inlay Measures: 18.5 x 25.4 inches (without handles) edition of 2,500 custom gift box This limited edition tote by Ai Weiwei is both the ultimate beach-to-dinner tote and beautiful enough to frame and hang on your wall. The bag takes its motif from a papercut created by Weiwei as part of his Papercut Portfolio published in 2019. The image is cut out of durable PVC with a transparent inlay to keep things from falling out. Using the traditional Chinese art of the papercut, Ai Weiwei’s Cats...
PVC
James Bond. Dr. No. Limited Edition Collector's Book.
By Paul Duncan, TASCHEN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
When the cinematic Bond was born. The most complete account of the making of the first James Bond film, Dr. No (1962). “Bond, James Bond.” Since Sean Connery uttered those immortal...
Paper
$1,000 / item
H 16.1 in W 17.7 in D 2.5 in
Sebastião Salgado, Gold. Limited Edition, signed Photography book
Located in Los Angeles, CA
For a decade, Serra Pelada evoked the long-promised El Dorado as the world’s largest open-air gold mine, employing some 50,000 diggers in appalling conditions. Today, Brazil’s gold...
Other
Ellen von Unwerth, Heimat, Limited Edition Signed Book
By TASCHEN, Ellen von Unwerth
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Welcome to Heimat An enchanted trip through Bavaria with Ellen von Unwerth Ellen von Unwerth’s puckish humor pervades the pages of Heimat, an enchanted tour around Bavaria. The ren...
Paper
ACAB All Cats Are Beautiful
By Elisa Carovilla
Located in Milano, IT
ACAB is one of a kind. Composition performed with: Porcelain bottom plate decorated with gold finish. Manufacture:Imperial crown Ivory stone Decorated porcelain small bowl. Manufactu...
Ceramic, Porcelain, Plastic
$4,500 / item
H 27.6 in W 18.4 in D 8 in
Sebastião Salgado "GENESIS" Signed, Limited Edition SUMO Book, with stand
By Sebastião Salgado
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Collector's Edition Book measures: 18.4 x 27.6 in. Total weight: 130 lb. The Collector’s Edition is limited to 2,500 copies (No. 501-3,000), numbered and signed by Sebastião Salg...
Cherry, Paper
Vintage Limited Edition Lithograph "Bag One" by John Lennon
By John Lennon 2
Located in San Diego, CA
Limited edition lithograph print entitled "Bag One" by artist and member of The Beatles, John Lennon, circa 1988. The image depicts two figures embracing, representative of Lennon an...
Paper
Embroidery Silk Azarbaijan
Located in Ferrara, IT
This is an antique silk Azerbaijan embroidery woven during the 18th century and measures 76 x 74CM in size. It has an all-over highly geometric floral design with muted pastel colors...
Textile, Silk
Hermès by Annie Faivre "Astres Et Soleils" Silk Carre Scarf
By Hermès
Located in Nuernberg, DE
HERMES silk carré scarf "Astres et Soleils". This scarfs brings across the life of the Maya and Aztec with an opulent terracotta shade and green whimsical design on a ocher and wh...
Silk
On the Pulse No. 6 by Jennifer Gibbs
By Jennifer Gibbs
Located in New Orleans, LA
Jennifer Gibbs draws artistic inspiration primarily from meditation and nature. Her extensive body of work ranges from abstract expressionism to delicate botanicals to her charcoal l...
Fabric, Textile, Canvas, Acrylic, Paint
$1,280Sale Price|24% Off
H 37.75 in W 37.75 in D 1.5 in
Vintage Framed Hermes Style Scarf Wall Art, Navy, Gold & Blue Sailboat
By Hermès
Located in Miami, FL
An eye catching classic Hermes style silk scarf shown in an elegant custom gilt wood frame. Makes a luxurious piece of art. The scarf is in very good vintage condition, it appears w...
Silk, Wood, Paint
$8,750Sale Price|30% Off
H 35 in W 22 in D 28.5 in
Helmut Newton Sumo Taschen Book, Philippe Starck Stand, Signed Limited Edition
By TASCHEN, Helmut Newton, Philippe Starck
Located in Miami, FL
Helmut Newton Sumo Taschen Book, Philippe Starck Stand, Signed Limited Edition Offered for sale is a Helmut Newton Limited Edition Sumo book published by Taschen with a custom-designed stand by Philippe Starck. There is an unparalleled grandeur of the Helmut Newton Sumo, the biggest and most expensive book produced in the 20th century. This limited edition masterpiece is signed by Newton and numbered 836/10,000. The book is a testament to the influential legacy of one of the most intriguing and controversial photographers in history. Accompanying this extraordinary book is a meticulously crafted bookstand designed by Philippe Starck that adds a touch of sophistication to its display. Immerse yourself in the monumental world of SUMO, a titan of a book measuring an impressive 50 x 70 cm (20 x 27.5 in.) and weighing approximately 30 kg (66 lb.). With 464 pages, it breaks all previous records and stands as a truly unique publication. Edited by June Newton...
Metal
On the Pulse No. 1 by Jennifer Gibbs
By Jennifer Gibbs
Located in New Orleans, LA
Jennifer Gibbs draws artistic inspiration primarily from meditation and nature. Her extensive body of work ranges from abstract expressionism to delicate botanicals to her charcoal l...
Fabric, Textile, Canvas, Acrylic, Paint
Ai Weiwei, the Silk Scarf ‘Citizens’ Investigation’
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Papercutting is a traditional Chinese art going back 2,000 years. The colored, intricately cut papers are used as a story-telling medium in festivities, for prayers, and as everyday ...
Silk
The China Bag 'Zodiac' Tote by Ai Weiwei
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Jersey City, NJ
White PVC bag with transparent inlay Measures: 18.5 x 25.4 inches (without handles) Edition of 2,500 Custom gift box This limited edition tote by Ai Weiw...
PVC
Ai Weiwei, the Silk Scarf ‘Cats and Dogs’
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Papercutting is a traditional Chinese art going back 2,000 years. The colored, intricately cut papers are used as a story-telling medium in fes...
Silk
Ai Weiwei, The Silk Scarf ‘Citizens’ Investigation’
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Papercutting is a traditional Chinese art going back 2,000 years. The colored, intricately cut papers are used as a story-telling medium in festivities, for prayers, and as everyday ...
Silk
Ai Weiwei, the Silk Scarf ‘Cats and Dogs’
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Papercutting is a traditional Chinese art going back 2,000 years. The colored, intricately cut papers are used as a story-telling medium in festivities, for prayers, and as everyday ...
Silk
Ai Weiwei, the China Bag ‘Zodiac’
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Papercutting is a traditional Chinese art going back 2,000 years. The colored, intricately cut papers are used as a story-telling medium in festivities, for prayers, and as everyday decoration. The white bag takes its motif from a papercut created by Ai Weiwei as part of his Papercut Portfolio, published by Taschen in 2019: Zodiac, his depiction of the Chinese...
PVC
Ai Weiwei, The China Bag ‘Cats and Dogs’
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Papercutting is a traditional Chinese art going back 2,000 years. The colored, intricately cut papers are used as a story-telling medium in festivities, for prayers, and as everyday ...
PVC
White House by Ai Weiwei
By Ai Weiwei
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Set of 3 skateboard decks 7-ply Canadian maplewood with screen-print Each deck: 31 h. x 8 inches Edition of 666 (screen-printed signature) Shipping note: This item ships from B...
Maple