
1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows
The story of two lives, one nation, and a century of art under tyranny
By: Ai Weiwei
Hardcover | 2 November 2021
At a Glance
Hardcover
RRP $49.99
$38.75
22%OFF
Aims to ship in 5 to 10 business days
When will this arrive by?
Enter delivery postcode to estimate
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.
About the Author
Ai Weiwei is a Chinese artist, designer, architect, curator, blogger and publisher.
ISBN: 9781847923509
ISBN-10: 184792350X
Published: 2nd November 2021
Format: Hardcover
Language: English
Number of Pages: 352
Audience: General Adult
Publisher: RANDOM HOUSE UK
Dimensions (cm): 4 x 16.4 x 24.1
Weight (kg): 0.71
Shipping
Standard Shipping | Express Shipping | |
---|---|---|
Metro postcodes: | $9.99 | $14.95 |
Regional postcodes: | $9.99 | $14.95 |
Rural postcodes: | $9.99 | $14.95 |
How to return your order
At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.
Additional postage charges may be applicable.
Defective items
If there is a problem with any of the items received for your order then the Booktopia Customer Care team is ready to assist you.
For more info please visit our Help Centre.
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-FictionBiographies & True Stories Memoirs
- Booktopia Gift GuideChristmas Gift GuideTrue Stories & Non-FictionBiographies & Autobiographies