In this beautifully illustrated and deeply philosophical graphic memoir legendary artist Ai Weiwei explores the connection between artistic expression and intellectual freedom through the lens of the Chinese zodiac.

As a child living in exile during the Cultural Revolution Ai Weiwei often found himself with nothing to read but government-approved comic books. Although they were restricted by the confines of political propaganda Ai Weiwei was struck by the artists’ ability to express their thoughts on art and humanity through graphic storytelling. Now decades later Ai Weiwei and Italian comic artist Gianluca Costantini present Zodiac Ai Weiwei’s first graphic memoir.

Inspired by the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac and their associated human characteristics Ai Weiwei masterfully interweaves ancient Chinese folklore with stories of his life family and career. The narrative shifts back and forth through the years—at once in the past present and future—mirroring memory and our relationship to time. As readers delve deeper into the beautifully illustrated pages of Zodiac they will find not only a personal history of Ai Weiwei and an examination of the sociopolitical climate in which he makes his art but a philosophical exploration of what it means to find oneself through art and freedom of expression.

Contemplative and political Zodiac will inspire readers to return again and again to Ai Weiwei’s musings on the relationship between art time and our shared humanity.