Ai Weiwei

This autumn Ai Weiwei, acclaimed artist and activist, joins us for an unique event in St Andrews. This should be an extraordinary night as we celebrate the release of Weiwei’s highly-anticipated memoir, 1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows.

Ai Weiwei has written a sweeping memoir that presents a remarkable history of China over the last 100 years while illuminating his artistic process.

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.

We hope that you can join us for a special evening in the company of one of the world’s most esteemed artists.