The celebrated artist and activist reflects on his father, the acclaimed poet Ai Qing who spent his formative years in 1920s Paris, before turning to the uncertainties of his own youth. Benedict Wong reads from Ai Weiwei's intimate memoir.

Here one of the art world’s superstars charts his journey as an artist and a human rights activist. It also tells the story of his father, Ai Qing arguably China’s most famous poets. During the Cultural Revolution Ai Qing was banished, along with his sons Ai Weiwei and Gao Jian, to a remote region of China. He was subjected to degrading work, while Ai Weiwei endured a harsh childhood. Later, aged 19 Ai Weiwei left for America where he studied art. Later, his career as a major artist took off with projects like his installation of 100 million ceramic sunflower seeds at Tate Modern. Ai Weiwei’s art has always been informed by his social activism. His criticism of China, and especially its human rights record, has brought him to the attention of the authorities, culminating in his detention in 2011. While imprisoned he reflected on his father's life, and thoughts of his own son, Ai Lao occupied him. Fathers and sons, China’s totalitarianism, the role of art, freedom of expression, and the need to protect it at all cost, are at the heart of this inspiring life story.

Benedict Wong reads, he played Ai Weiwei in Howard Brenton's searing play, The Arrest of Ai Weiwei in 2013. He is well known for playing Wong in Dr Strange, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. He plays Kublai Khan in the acclaimed Netflix series Marco Polo.

Photo: Ai Weiwei with Ai Qing at Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China, November 1959
Written by Ai Weiwei
Translated by Allan H. Barr
Abridged by Penny Leicester
Produced by Elizabeth Allard. Show less