Ai Weiwei

Ai Weiwei

Canada CanadaartistMaleb. 19579.0Global Dominance: 0.01%

Ai Weiwei is a renowned Chinese artist and dissident known for his provocative works that critique the Chinese government, environmental issues, and European refugee policies. His art often combines traditional Chinese materials with contemporary themes, such as his famous installation 'Sunflower Seeds,' which highlights individuality within society. Ai has faced significant challenges in his career, including a period of house arrest and travel restrictions due to his outspoken criticism of the Chinese regime. He has lived in various countries, including Portugal and the UK, and continues to be an influential voice in contemporary art and human rights advocacy. Recently, he made headlines when he was denied entry into Switzerland due to a visa issue, leading to his temporary stay in the airport transit zone.

Power5,611
Reach125,430

Country presence

Recent news mentions

Ai Weiwei is a renowned artist and critic of the Chinese communist regime, known for his activism and artworks that challenge state narratives.

‘Was I scared going back to China? No’: Ai Weiwei on AI, western censorship and returning home | Ai Weiwei
The Guardian·United KingdomUnited Kingdom· 2026-02-09
9.0

Ai Weiwei is known for his provocative art and activism, including his gesture towards Tiananmen Square.

Als Ai Weiwei seinen Mittelfinger dem Tiananmen-Platz entgegenstreckte - Literatur
Der Standard·AustriaAustria· 2026-02-06
8.0
Also mentioned
George Orwell
George Orwell

Ai Weiwei, a dissenting artist, has recently returned to China and made headlines with his interviews.

觀點 - 20260127 - 每日明報
明報 (Ming Pao)·Hong KongHong Kong· 2026-01-27
6.0
Also mentioned
Xia Baolong
Xia Baolong

Ai Weiwei is one of the prominent names from contemporary culture featured in Anton Corbijn's exhibition.

Tallinā atklāta vērienīga leģendārā fotogrāfa un kinorežisora Antona Korbeina izstāde / Diena
Diena·LatviaLatvia· 2026-01-26
9.0

Ai Weiwei returned to Beijing after a decade of self-imposed exile, reconnecting with family and friends.

Iranian spray paints message to Trump: ‘Please help’
CNN·United StatesUnited States· 2026-01-24
8.0

Renowned dissident artist Ai Weiwei returned to Beijing for a brief visit where he reconnected with family and friends.

The wildest land deals in US history
CNN·United StatesUnited States· 2026-01-24
8.0

After a decade of self-imposed exile, renowned dissident artist Ai Weiwei returned to Beijing for a brief visit where he reconnected with family and friends.

Has Chinese surveillance been used on Iranian protesters?
CNN·United StatesUnited States· 2026-01-24
6.0

Renowned dissident artist Ai Weiwei returned to Beijing for a brief visit after a decade of self-imposed exile.

The night Iran went dark
CNN·United StatesUnited States· 2026-01-23
7.0

Renowned dissident artist Ai Weiwei returned to Beijing for a brief visit where he reconnected with family and friends.

TikTok secures its future in the US
CNN·United StatesUnited States· 2026-01-23
8.0

After a decade of self-imposed exile, renowned dissident artist Ai Weiwei returned to Beijing for a brief visit where he reconnected with family and friends.

Olympic flame reaches Venice ahead of 2026 Winter Games
CNN·United StatesUnited States· 2026-01-23
8.0

Renowned dissident artist Ai Weiwei returned to Beijing for a brief visit.

Zelenksy: Without action now, there is no tomorrow
CNN·United StatesUnited States· 2026-01-22
7.0

After a decade of self-imposed exile, renowned dissident artist Ai Weiwei returned to Beijing for a brief visit.

What we know about Trump’s Gaza plan
CNN·United StatesUnited States· 2026-01-22
7.0

Ai Weiwei returned to Beijing after 10 years abroad to visit his elderly mother and shared his critical views on Germany and Europe in an interview.

艾未未離鄉10年返京 讚中國社會「高效有人情味」批歐洲官僚 (18:51) - 20260114 - 兩岸 - 即時新聞
明報 (Ming Pao)·Hong KongHong Kong· 2026-01-14
7.0

Ai Weiwei is a world-renowned artist collaborating on merchandise for 'Ukrainian Truth'.

Стартував різдвяний розпродаж мерча "Української правди"
Українська правда (Ukrayinska Pravda)·UkraineUkraine· 2025-12-25
9.0
Also mentioned
Mykhailo Tkach
Mykhailo Tkach

Ai Weiwei is an artist who signed the open letter urging for Marwan Barghouti's release.

Over 200 cultural heavyweights call for release of jailed Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti - Culture
Dawn – Pakistan’s oldest and most widely read English daily, est. 1941·PakistanPakistan· 2025-12-03
8.0

Ai Weiwei is an artist residing near the Studio Quinta Essence, working on a large installation.

No Alentejo, um estúdio entre o silêncio da planície e o som dos Grammys | Música
Público·PortugalPortugal· 2025-11-10
8.0

Ai Weiwei is a world-renowned artist who complained about not having his text published in Zeit-Magazin.

Hat wer Ai Weiwei gecancelt? Ein Medienzirkus um die Meinungsfreiheit - Medien
Süddeutsche Zeitung·GermanyGermany· 2025-11-03
5.0

Ai Weiwei is a renowned Chinese artist involved in designing promotional products for Khartiia.

Jutarnji list - Kako funkcioniraju elitne ukrajinske postrojbe
Jutarnji List – Croatian daily newspaper, est. 1998·CroatiaCroatia· 2025-10-20
8.0

Ai Weiwei is a contemporary artist known for his extreme and innovative performance platforms.

Ai Weiwei's Turandot
San Marino RTV (News)·San MarinoSan Marino· 2025-10-11
8.0
Also mentioned
Giacomo Puccini
Giacomo Puccini

Ai Weiwei is a Chinese dissident artist whose exhibition at the Seattle Art Museum addresses political power structures.

As Trump goes after the arts, many museums remain silent
CNN·United StatesUnited States· 2025-09-28
8.0

Ai Weiwei is a renowned contemporary artist known for his works on freedom, human rights, and activism against dictatorship and censorship.

Новий мерч до 25-річчя УП: футболки від митця Ай Вейвея і бренду GASANOVA
Українська правда (Ukrayinska Pravda)·UkraineUkraine· 2025-07-03
9.0

Ai Weiwei is one of the most famous contemporary artists and publicly criticizes the Chinese government for human rights violations.

Художник Ай Вейвей про виставку у Києві, цензуру у мистецтві, Китай та Україну
Українська правда (Ukrayinska Pravda)·UkraineUkraine· 2025-06-29
9.0

Ai Weiwei is a world-renowned artist invited to hold an exhibition in Kyiv, expressing ideas and reflections through his art amidst political changes and conflicts.

„Dialogas apie karą ir taiką“: Kyjive parodą surengs pasaulinio garso menininkas Ai Weiwei | Kultūra
15min – major Lithuanian news website·LithuaniaLithuania· 2025-06-28
9.0