The world-famous Chinese artist, Ai Weiwei, here weaves his own life into an epic tale of the development of Chinese society over the past 100 years – from the Cultural Revolution to the modern Chinese Communist Party.
We get the story of a childhood spent in desolate exile after Weiwei's father, Ai Qing - once China's most famous poet - was exiled to a labor camp. Weiwei describes his journey to the United States as a young man and his return to China, the ascent from complete unknown to art world superstar and international rights activist.
1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows is Ai Weiwei's extraordinary account of how his work has been shaped by living under the then regime. It is the story of a father and a son, of extraordinary creativity and passionate faith, and of how two indomitable spirits made it possible for the world to understand their country.
Dimensions: W 16.2 x H 24 cm, hardback
Pages: 352
Language: English
Author: Ai Weiwei
Publisher: Vintage Publishing