Ai Weiwei (b. August 28, 1957, Beijing) is a Chinese contemporary artist and activist renowned for his provocative works that challenge authority, censorship, and human rights abuses. Born into a family of intellectuals—his father, Ai Qing, was a celebrated poet who suffered persecution during the Anti-Rightist Movement—Ai's early life was marked by hardship and exile. In 1958, when Ai was one year old, the family was sent to a labor camp in Beidahuang, Heilongjiang, and later exiled to Shihezi, Xinjiang, where they lived for 16 years. The family returned to Beijing in 1976 after Mao Zedong's death and the end of the Cultural Revolution.

Ai's education began at the Beijing Film Academy in 1978, where he studied animation. In 1981, he moved to the United States, studying English at the University of Pennsylvania and later attending the Art Students League of New York. During his time in New York, Ai was influenced by Western artists such as Andy Warhol and Marcel Duchamp, which shaped his conceptual approach to art.

Returning to China in 1993, Ai became a pivotal figure in Beijing's avant-garde art scene. He co-founded the Beijing East Village, a hub for experimental artists, and later established the architecture studio FAKE Design. Ai's work often critiques Chinese political and social issues, using art as a form of resistance. Notable works include *Sunflower Seeds* (2010), an installation of millions of handcrafted porcelain seeds, and *Remembering* (2009), a tribute to the thousands of children who died in the 2008 Sichuan earthquake due to poorly constructed schools.

In 2011, Ai was arrested at Beijing Capital International Airport and detained for 81 days without charge. The Chinese government claimed he was under investigation for alleged economic crimes, but many viewed the detention as retaliation for his outspoken criticism of the government. Following his release, Ai's passport was confiscated, preventing him from traveling abroad. He was allowed to leave China in 2015 and subsequently settled in Berlin, Germany.

Ai's activism extends beyond his art. He has been a vocal advocate for freedom of expression and human rights, using social media platforms to raise awareness about issues such as government corruption and the refugee crisis. His works often incorporate elements of Chinese culture to comment on contemporary issues, blending traditional aesthetics with modern critique.

For more information on Ai Weiwei's work and exhibitions, you can visit his official website https://www.aiweiwei.com