Origins & Early Life

Ai Weiwei ( EYE way-WAY; Chinese: 艾未未; pinyin: Ài Wèiwèi, IPA: [âɪ wêɪ.wêɪ]; born 28 August 1957) is a Chinese contemporary artist, documentarian and activist. Ai grew up in the far northwest of China, where he lived under harsh conditions due to his father's exile. As an activist, he has been openly critical of the Chinese government and its stance on democracy and human rights. He investigated government corruption and cover-ups, in particular the Sichuan schools corruption scandal following the collapse of "tofu-dreg schools" in the 2008 earthquake.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In April 2011, Ai Weiwei was arrested at Beijing Capital International Airport for "economic crimes", and detained for 81 days without charge. Ai Weiwei emerged as a figure in Chinese cultural development, an architect of Chinese modernism, and a prominent political commentator. Ai Weiwei has created political sculptures, photographs, and public works. Since being allowed to leave China in 2015, he has lived in Portugal, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Ai's father was the Chinese poet Ai Qing, who was denounced during the Anti-Rightist Movement.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1958, the family was sent to a labour camp in...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Achille Mbembe — Contemporary (Born in 1957) (1957): Cameroonian historian and political theorist known for critiques of colonialism.
• Aga Khan III — Contemporary (Died in 1957) (1957): 48th Imam of the Nizari Isma'ili community and founder of the All-India Muslim League.
• Albert Anastasia — Contemporary (Died in 1957) (1957): Italian-American mob boss, co-founder of Murder, Inc., and boss of the Gambino crime family.
• Apsley Cherry-Garrard — Shared historical date (05-18 · Died) (1959): English polar explorer renowned for his Antarctic accounts and survival narratives.
• Augusto César Sandino — Shared historical date (05-18 · Born) (1895): Nicaraguan revolutionary leader who spearheaded resistance against US occupation.
• Aleksey Remizov — Historical peer (Died in 1957) (1957): A Russian modernist writer known for fantastic, bizarre, and folklore-inspired literature.
• Alfred Döblin — Historical peer (Died in 1957) (1957): Pioneering German modernist novelist, essayist, and doctor, famed for Berlin Alexanderplatz.
• Alain Robbe-Grillet — Historical peer (Died in 2008) (2008): Pioneering French writer and filmmaker associated with the Nouveau Roman movement.
• Albert Hofmann — Historical peer (Died in 2008) (2008): Swiss chemist renowned for synthesizing LSD and pioneering psychedelic research.
• Al Davis — Historical peer (Died in 2011) (2011): Pioneering NFL executive and coach, known for building the legendary Oakland Raiders.
• 1957 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1957
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