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In his widely anticipated memoir, Ai Weiwei - one of the world's most famous artists and activists - tells a century-long epic tale of China through the story of his own extraordinary life and the legacy of his father Ai Qing, the nation's most celebrated poet
In his widely anticipated memoir, Ai Weiwei - one of the world's most famous artists and activists - tells a century-long epic tale of China through the story of his own extraordinary life and the legacy of his father, Ai Qing, the nation's most celebrated poet.
Hailed as 'the most important artist working today' by the Financial Times and as 'an eloquent and unsilenceable voice of freedom' by the New York Times, Ai Weiwei has written a sweeping memoir that presents a remarkable history of China over the last 100 years while illuminating his artistic process.
Once an intimate of Mao Zedong, Ai Weiwei's father was branded a rightist during the Cultural Revolution, and he and his family were banished to a desolate place known as 'Little Siberia', where Ai Qing was sentenced to hard labour cleaning public toilets. Ai Weiwei recounts his childhood in exile, and his difficult decision to leave his family to study art in America, where he befriended Allen Ginsberg and was inspired by Andy Warhol. With candour and wit, he details his return to China and his rise from artistic unknown to art world superstar and international human rights activist - and how his work has been shaped by living under a totalitarian regime.
Ai Weiwei's sculptures and installations have been viewed by millions around the globe, and his architectural achievements include helping to design the iconic Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium in Beijing. His political activism has long made him a target of the Chinese authorities, which culminated in months of secret detention without charge in 2011. Here, for the first time, Ai Weiwei explores the origins of his exceptional creativity and passionate political beliefs through his own life story and that of his father, whose own creativity was stifled.
At once ambitious and intimate, 1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows offers a deep understanding of the myriad forces that have shaped modern China, and serves as a timely reminder of the urgent need to protect freedom of expression.
In his widely anticipated memoir, Ai Weiwei - one of the world's most famous artists and activists - tells a century-long epic tale of China through the story of his own extraordinary life and the legacy of his father, Ai Qing, the nation's most celebrated poet.
Hailed as 'the most important artist working today' by the Financial Times and as 'an eloquent and unsilenceable voice of freedom' by the New York Times, Ai Weiwei has written a sweeping memoir that presents a remarkable history of China over the last 100 years while illuminating his artistic process.
Once an intimate of Mao Zedong, Ai Weiwei's father was branded a rightist during the Cultural Revolution, and he and his family were banished to a desolate place known as 'Little Siberia', where Ai Qing was sentenced to hard labour cleaning public toilets. Ai Weiwei recounts his childhood in exile, and his difficult decision to leave his family to study art in America, where he befriended Allen Ginsberg and was inspired by Andy Warhol. With candour and wit, he details his return to China and his rise from artistic unknown to art world superstar and international human rights activist - and how his work has been shaped by living under a totalitarian regime.
Ai Weiwei's sculptures and installations have been viewed by millions around the globe, and his architectural achievements include helping to design the iconic Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium in Beijing. His political activism has long made him a target of the Chinese authorities, which culminated in months of secret detention without charge in 2011. Here, for the first time, Ai Weiwei explores the origins of his exceptional creativity and passionate political beliefs through his own life story and that of his father, whose own creativity was stifled.
At once ambitious and intimate, 1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows offers a deep understanding of the myriad forces that have shaped modern China, and serves as a timely reminder of the urgent need to protect freedom of expression.
Industry Reviews
'A story of inherited resilience and self-determination' Observer
'A majestic and exquisitely serious masterpiece about his China... One of the great voices of our time' Andrew Solomon
'Intimate, unflinching...an instant classic' Evan Osnos, author of Age of Ambition
'A majestic and exquisitely serious masterpiece about his China... One of the great voices of our time' Andrew Solomon
'Intimate, unflinching...an instant classic' Evan Osnos, author of Age of Ambition
ISBN: 9781784701499
ISBN-10: 1784701491
Published: 10th January 2023
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Number of Pages: 400
Audience: General Adult
Publisher: RANDOM HOUSE UK
Country of Publication: GB
Dimensions (cm): 3 x 12.8 x 19.7
Weight (kg): 0.37
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You Can Find This Book In
This product is categorised by
- Non-FictionArts & EntertainmentHistory of Art & Design StylesArt from 1900 to CurrentArt from 1960Conceptual Art
- Non-FictionPolitics & GovernmentPolitical Control & FreedomsPolitical Oppression & Persecution
- Non-FictionHistorySpecific Events & Topics in HistorySocial & Cultural History
- Non-FictionSociology & AnthropologySociologySociology & Family & Relationships
- Non-FictionArts & EntertainmentHistory of Art & Design StylesArt Styles Not Defined by DateOriental Art
- Non-FictionBiographies & True Stories Memoirs
- Non-FictionBiographies & True Stories BiographiesArts & Entertainment BiographiesArts & Entertainment Autobiographies