Ai Weiwei

Ai Weiwei, a Chinese contemporary artist, documentarian, and activist, has consistently been an open critic of the Chinese Government's stance on democracy and human rights. He has notably used his art to comment on social and political issues, creating works such as "Sunflower Seeds" and contributing to the architectural design of the Beijing National Stadium. His documentaries, including "Human Flow" and "Coronation," further express his viewpoints. In addition to his work in China, Ai has lived in Portugal, Germany, and the United Kingdom since 2015, and he founded the architecture studio FAKE Design in 2003. His involvement in the art exhibition "Fuck Off" and his role on the Board of Advisors for the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) also reflect his commitment to free expression.

Ai's dedication to unearthing truth has been displayed through his investigation of government corruption and cover-ups, notably the Sichuan schools corruption scandal following the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. His blog, declared the fourth greatest work of performance art ever by Dale Eisinger of Complex in 2013, was a key platform for his "Citizens' Investigation" into the tragedy. Despite facing house arrest, an 81-day detention in 2011, and studio raids, Ai remained tenacious, publishing the names of 5,385 student victims and documenting the investigation on his blog until it was shut down by Chinese authorities. His release was demanded by international governments, human rights groups, and art institutions alike, reflecting the global impact of his work.

Throughout his career, Ai has won numerous accolades such as the Lifetime Contribution Award from the Chinese Contemporary Art Award (CCAA) in 2008. He co-curated the "Hans van Dijk: 5000 Names" exhibition at the Ullens Center for Contemporary Art (UCCA) in 2014 and has used various mediums to create significant works focusing on human rights abuses. His advocacy for the release of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and his contributions to exhibitions like the virtual British art exhibition "The Great Big Art Exhibition" underscore his ongoing commitment to activism and free speech. Ai continues to reside in Portugal and maintains a studio in Berlin, remaining a vocal critic of censorship and an advocate for human rights.