Born in Beijing, China, Ai Weiwei spent his formative years in exile in the far northwest of China before moving to New York City in the 1980s, where he began his career as an artist. He gained international prominence for his role in the development of Chinese modernism and his subsequent work as a vocal critic of government policies, particularly regarding transparency and human rights.

His practice spans a diverse range of media, including sculpture, architecture, film, and installation. He is widely recognized for his use of readymade objects and traditional materials, such as porcelain and wood, to create works that serve as social commentary. His investigations into the 2008 Sichuan earthquake remain a defining element of his thematic focus on institutional accountability.

Ai Weiwei continues to maintain a robust international presence, with recent institutional recognition including a major five-decade retrospective at MAXXI L’Aquila and upcoming solo presentations in Manchester. His recent work has expanded to include new sculptures produced in Ukraine, further cementing his role as a global commentator on conflict and displacement.