Ai Weiwei is not only an artist, designer and architect but also a curator, publisher and Web blogger whose outspoken writings have inspired an entire generation of Beijing artists and attracted the attention of the Chinese government. His work has been increasingly featured in significant exhibitions around the world, generating interest far beyond China's borders.

Sections in this comprehensive monograph include Karen Smith's 'Survey', which traces Ai's career from the early days in Beijing to his discovery of the avant-garde in New York and his recent emergence as a celebrated sculptor and architect; Hans Ulrich Obrist's 'Interview' in which he discusses with the artist the influence of his father, the poet Ai Qing, on his own view on art and authority; and Bernard Fibicher's 'Focus' on the monumental light sculpture Descending Light (2007). These are supplemented by 'Artist's Choice', featuring a poem by Ai Qing (in English and Chinese), and 'Artist's Writings', comprising an excerpt from The Grey Book (1997) and entries from Ai's popular blog (translated in English). Artist's chronology and bibliography provided.