NEW from ACC Art Books – Limited Edition: Sukita: EternityClick here to order

Ai Weiwei: Life, Revolt & Poetry

Ai Weiwei: Life, Revolt & Poetry

By (author) John Tancock
By (author) Chris Dercon
Contributions by Edouard Derom
Contributions by Lieven Van Den Abeele
Contributions by Rik Hemmerijckx

$68.00

Publishing 29th Dec 2026
Log in to add this to your wishlist.
  • A powerful homage by Ai Weiwei to his father
  • Ai Weiwei pays tribute to two poets who shaped a remarkable cultural bridge: his father, the Chinese poet Ai Qing, and the Belgian poet Emile Verhaeren
  • A moving history that connects poetry, memory, and artistic heritage across cultures
  • Published to accompany the exibition at the Emile Verhaeren Museum in Puurs-Sint-Amands from September 20 onwards
  • At the same time, a parallel exhibition featuring works by Ai Weiwei will be presented at Galerie Patrick Derom in Brussels, Belgium
Full Description

In this unique project, Ai Weiwei pays tribute to two poets who shaped a remarkable cultural bridge: his father, the Chinese poet Ai Qing, and the Belgian poet Émile Verhaeren. Ai Qing was the first to translate Verhaeren’s poetry into Chinese, introducing the Belgian writer to readers in China. Out of deep admiration for his father’s legacy, Ai Weiwei accepted the invitation to create an exhibition and catalogue exploring the bond between these two literary figures. This book is a moving homage that connects poetry, memory, and artistic heritage across cultures.

With text contributions by John Tancock, Chris Dercon, Edouard Derom, Lieven Van Den Abeele and Rik Hemmerijckx.

About the Author

John Tancock is an art historian and coauthor of Ai Weiwei: New York 1983-1993. Chris Dercon is an art historian, curator and museum director. He was born in Lier, Belgium, in 1958. He studied Art History and Theatre Studies at the Rijksuniversiteit Leiden, and Film Studies at the Vrije Unversiteit in Amsterdam. Chris Dercon has worked as a teacher, critic and journalist. He has been managing cultural institutions since 1988. He began his career as program director of PS1 New York in 1988, and in Rotterdam from 1990 to 1995 he directed the Witte de With (Melly Kunsinstituut), then the Boijmans van Beuningen from 1996 to 2002. From 2003 to 2011, he directed the Haus der Kunst in Munich. From 2011 to 2016, he directed the Tate Modern in London. From 2017 to 2018, he directed the Volksbuhne Theater in Berlin. From 2019 to 2023, he is Chairman of the Réunion des Musées Nationaux and the Grand Palais. Since June 2023, he has been Director of the Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain.

Specifications
Publisher
Hannibal Books
ISBN
9789493531147
Publish date
29th Dec 2026
Binding
Hardback
Territory
USA & Canada
Size
9 in x 11 in
Pages
208 Pages
Recently Viewed

Please log-in or create an account to see your recent items.