Zodiac

Praise

“Each chapter frames the artist’s take on traditional beliefs about the characteristics humans share with the 12 animals of the Chinese lunar calendar. Gianluca Costantini’s intricate line drawings pair with Elettra Stamboulis’s comic-bubble text to help expand Ai’s lifelong campaign for free expression to a new medium for a new generation.”—The New York Times

“Rich with metaphor, philosophical musings, and rebellious wisdom, the book is ‘comic’ in the classical sense—a work of komikos in which mirth and myth, commentary and critique are all combined, and tragedy is never too far off.”—Al Jazeera

“If Ai Weiwei’s Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads debuted as a public art installation in 2011 to challenge the monolithic view of Chinese history, then his thought-provoking graphic memoir, Zodiac, offers another shift, by focusing on his individual trajectory as an artist whose role is to resist the totalitarian state. In this context, Ai’s work and life are astutely reflected in the way he reinterprets the 12 animals that make up the Chinese zodiac.”—NPR

“As serious as Zodiac’s subject matter may be, the book remains playful, from the curlicue tails of the speech balloons to Ai’s own irreverent expressions that often break the fourth wall. It is not strict biography but rather a vivid journey touching on some of the central philosophies that drive him, along with memorable moments in his life. . . . The pages become windowpanes, casual glimpses into Ai’s daily life. His universe is delightful, filled with honest and heartfelt conversations, and imbued with kindness in spades.”—The Los Angeles Review of Books

“This inventive graphic memoir follows Ai throughout his life, exploring how he found his own voice and mission in a country where bucking the government’s approved modes of expression could be life-ruining.”—BookRiot

“Ai taps the potential of visual storytelling as well as the 12 Chinese zodiac signs to weave together a time-shifting narrative. Personal history, family stories, career moments, as well as broader reflections on freedom of expression and art as a conduit for exploring oneself intermingle through the book and not only offer insight into Ai himself but new perspectives on art and humanity as well.”—Artnet

“The internationally renowned Chinese artist recalls a life of resistance and oppression . . . A welcome introduction to the life and work of an exemplary artist.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Poignant, meditative . . . This is a sage and inventive embroidery of philosophy, family memoir, and cultural history.”—Publishers Weekly