What is Black art? This vital anthology gives voice to a generation of artists of African, Asian and Caribbean heritage who worked within and against British art institutions in the 1980s, including Sonia Boyce, Lubaina Himid, Eddie Chambers and Rasheed Araeen. It brings together artists’ statements, interviews, exhibition catalogue essays and reviews, most of which have been unavailable for many years and resonate profoundly today. Together they interrogate the term ‘Black art’ itself, and revive a forgotten dialogue from a time when men and women who had been marginalized made themselves heard within the art world and beyond.

Ai Weiwei – one of the world’s most famous artists and activists – weaves a century-long epic tale of China through the story of his own life and that of his father, Ai Qing, the nation’s most celebrated poet.

‘Engrossing…a remarkable story’ Sunday Times

Here, through the sweeping lens of his own and his father’s life, Ai Weiwei tells an epic tale of China over the last 100 years, from the Cultural Revolution to the modern-day Chinese Communist Party.

Here is the story of a childhood spent in desolate exile after his father, Ai Qing, once China’s most celebrated poet, fell foul of the authorities. Here is his move to America as a young man and his return to China, his rise from unknown to art-world superstar and international rights activist. Here is his extraordinary account of how his work has been shaped by living under a totalitarian regime.

It’s the story of a father and a son, of exceptional creativity and passionate belief, and of how two indomitable spirits enabled the world to understand their country.

‘A story of inherited resilience and self-determination’ Observer

‘A majestic and exquisitely serious masterpiece about his China… One of the great voices of our time’ Andrew Solomon

‘Intimate, unflinching…an instant classic’ Evan Osnos, author of Age of Ambition

Everything here is new. We invite you to rip out pages, to hang them up at home, to draw and scribble, to cook, to meditate, to take the book to your nearest green space.

Featuring Olafur Eliasson, Etel Adnan, Alexis Pauline Gumbs, Jane Fonda & Swoon, Judy Chicago, Black Quantum Futurism Collective, Vivienne Westwood, Cauleen Smith, Marina Abramovic, Karrabing Film Collective, and many more.

‘Above all a story of inherited resilience, strength of character and self-determination’ Observer

Chinese dissident. Ground-breaking artist. Global icon.

Here, through the sweeping, extraordinary story of his own and his father’s lives, Ai Weiwei tells an epic tale of China over the last 100 years.

He recounts a childhood in exile in a desolate place known as ‘Little Siberia’, his move to America as a young man and eventual return home, then his rise from unknown to art-world superstar and international human rights activist – and how his work has been shaped by living under a totalitarian regime.

1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows is a story of exceptional creativity and passionate political beliefs, and a timely reminder of the urgent need to protect freedom of expression.

*A GUARDIAN AND OBSERVER BOOK OF THE YEAR 2021*

‘Intimate, unflinching … an instant classic’ Evan Osnos, author of Age of Ambition