The Chinese artist is one of the most celebrated contemporary artists in the East and West, a global citizen who calls for political investigation within his wide practice. Ai Weiwei investigates and questions institutions and regimes at the core of his work, he measures our existence in relation to economic, political, and social forces, while his practice is rooted in Chinese tradition he executes within a contemporary and conceptual creativity.

His provocative blend of Chinese tradition and craftsmanship within fully contemporary practice serves his strong criticism of human rights violations and condemnations of governmental corruption. His own life since childhood has been marked by his struggles and fights against the Chinese Government. His father, a renewed poet, was declared “class enemy” and sent to labor camp with his family. Migrating to New York was his opportunity to expand his artistic vocabularies where he stayed for over a decade. During this time, he became influenced by the works of Marcel Duchamp, Andy Warhol, and Hasper Johns.
He was secretly detained without any official charges being filed for 81 days from April 3 to June 22, 2011 by the Chinese government, and his passport was held for 4 years afterward. Since being allowed to leave China in 2015 he has produced monumental installations and artworks that advocate for refugee rights and make awareness on the global crisis of displacement.

Ai Weiwei

Dissident artist Ai Weiwei is famous for conceptual artworks that challenge authority and explore the links between the contemporary world and traditional Chinese culture.

https://data.wengcontemporary.com/media/Ai_Weiwei_Vases_in_five_colours_Content_Sheet_4EzxKi6.pdf

Ai Weiwei often explores the intersection between ancient traditions and contemporary global culture in his works. His earlier works such as Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn (1995) and Han Jar Overpainted with Coca-Cola Logo (1995) are iconic examples of how he provocatively addresses China's historical confrontation with Western influences. These works illustrate the destructive and creative consequences of this cultural conflict. The same theme is vividly illustrated in the limited edition glass vase by Ai Weiwei. The edition explores the tension between ancient craftsmanship and modern mass production and questions the perceived value of the objects around us. Made of Murano glass, known for its centuries-old craftsmanship in the Venice lagoon, the vase symbolises a dialogue between the old and the new. It invites us to reflect on preserving traditions in an increasingly globalised world and reconsider the cultural and material value of everyday objects.

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“ Life is art. Art is life. I never separate it „

—Ai Weiwei