Ai Weiwei (b. 1957, Beijing, China) is a prolific multidisciplinary artist whose practice encompasses sculpture, installation, film, photography, ceramics, painting, writing and social media. A conceptual artist who combines traditional craftsmanship with his Chinese cultural heritage, he moves fluidly across a wide range of artistic languages to reflect on contemporary geopolitical and sociopolitical realities. A global citizen, artist and thinker, Ai Weiwei brings together traditional craftsmanship and conceptual creativity, examining human existence in relation to economic, political, natural and social forces. His artistic practice and personal life are deeply intertwined, extending into his activism and longstanding commitment to the defence of international human rights.