Ai Xuan (born November 11, 1947 in Jinhua

Jinhua

Jinhua is a prefecture-level city in central Zhejiang province of Eastern China. It borders the provincial capital of Hangzhou to the northwest, Quzhou to the southwest, Lishui to the south, Taizhou to the east, and Shaoxing to the northeast....

, Zhejiang

Zhejiang

Zhejiang is an eastern coastal province of the People's Republic of China. The word Zhejiang was the old name of the Qiantang River, which passes through Hangzhou, the provincial capital...

)
is a Chinese

People's Republic of China

China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...

 painter

Painting

Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...

.

In 1967 he graduated from the Central Academy of Fine Arts School. Since 1980, Ai has had six of his paintings featured in the national exhibition. He has also won several awards including: in 1981, a second-class National Youth Arts Award for his oil painting "wholesale"; a Sichuan outstanding works Prize; and, in 1986, a second Asian art award for his oil painting "snow" .

In 1987, Ai spent a year in the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

, visiting academics at Oklahoma City University

Oklahoma City University

Oklahoma City University, often referred to as OCU, is a coeducational, urban, private university historically affiliated with the United Methodist Church...

. While there he was able to meet with several famous artists, and hosted his own personal exhibition. Ai also travelled to Great Britain

Great Britain

Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...

 to participate in the auction organised by to raise funds for renovation

Renovation

Renovation is the process of improving a structure. Two prominent types of renovations are commercial and residential.-Process:The process of a renovation, however complex, can usually be broken down into several processes...

 of the Great Wall of China

Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is a series of stone and earthen fortifications in northern China, built originally to protect the northern borders of the Chinese Empire against intrusions by various nomadic groups...

.

He teaches at Beijing Painting Institute.
Ai is currently based in Beijing

Beijing

Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...

 and is a member of the China Artists Association

China Artists Association

The China Artists Association is the principal national institution for Chinese art through China, with its headquarters in Beijing....

.

Family

He is the son of the late Chinese poet Ai Qing

Ai Qing

Ai Qing and styled Jiǎng Hǎichéng ; March 27, 1910 – May 5, 1996), is regarded as one of the finest modern Chinese poets. He was known under his pen names Línbì , Kè'ā and Éjiā .-Life:...

, as well as the half-brother of renowned Chinese Artist Ai Weiwei

Ai Weiwei

Ai Weiwei is a Chinese contemporary artist, active in sculpture, installation, architecture, curating, photography, film, and social, political and cultural criticism. Ai collaborated with Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron as the artistic consultant on the Beijing National Stadium for the 2008...

. Ai Xuan (also known as GuiGui by his closer family members) currently resides in Beijing with his wife Jin Tao and daughter Ai Jiayi.

External links

• Galerie du Monde
• Ai Xuan Artnet