About Ai
Ai Jing,
Ai Jing, born in Shenyang, Liaoning Province, is an artist, singer-songwriter, and author. She has created and released 5 solo albums and several EP singles.
In the early 1990s, Ai Jing swept Asia with her unique music style, and was hailed as "China's Most Talented Female Folk Poet", setting a record for overseas sales of Chinese singers. Her debut solo album, My 1997, written and recorded by some of the most talented musicians in pop music at the time, received an instant hit, selling well in Asia and achieving unprecedented success upon release. After that, Ai Jing held concerts and participated in music festivals in Japan and several other countries and regions. Her lyrics, simple and vivid, tell smoothly her own stories, full of profound sense of drift, earning for her a nickname of "the Wandering Swallow." Her music, skillfully expressing rich and real experiences and feelings from the micro perspective of personal emotions, deeply moves and inspires her listeners.
Ai Jing began painting in 1999 and later moved to New York to study contemporary art. In 2007, she officially participated in art exhibitions as an artist. In 2008, she held her first solo art exhibition "ALL ABOUT LOVE" in Beijing Today Art Museum. In October 2009, she held a solo exhibition "AI WANT TO LOVE" in New York. In May 2010, she participated in the theme exhibition “Transforming History” — China (Contemporary) Documentary Exhibition, where her installation work "The Tree of Life" received much attention.
In November 2012, Ai Jing held a solo exhibition titled "I LOVE AI JING: Ai Jing Comprehensive Art Exhibition" at the National Museum of China, thus becoming the first contemporary artist to hold a solo exhibition since the establishment of the national Museum of China. In June 2013, Ai Jing's sculpture "The Wave" was collected by the National Museum of China. In May 2014, her touring exhibition "LOVE AIJING: Ai Jing's Love" was held at the China Art Museum in Shanghai, where she was also the first contemporary artist to hold a solo exhibition since the establishment of the Museum. In June 2015, Ai Jing started her global touring exhibition, with the first stop at the Ambrosio Art Gallery (Pinacoteca Ambrosiana) in Milan, Italy, where the exhibition titled "Dialogue." She was also the first contemporary artist to hold a solo exhibition in the Museum's over four-hundred-year history.
In July 2015, as an outstanding Chinese contemporary artist, Ai Jing participated in the "LA CHINE ARDENTE - Chinese Contemporary Art Exhibition" in Mons, Belgium. In early 2016, she was invited to participate in the "Echo of Civilization: Crossing Dunhuang" art exhibition in Imperial Ancestral Temple (Taimiao) in Beijing with her representative work "Tree of Life". In March 2016, Ai Jing participated in the “Armory Show” in New York and displayed her new work "I LOVE COLOR #16" from the "I LOVE COLOR" series, at the Marlborough Gallery booth. In November 2016, her solo exhibition "LOVE" opened at the Marlborough Gallery in New York. In November 2017, Ai Jing was awarded by the Hirshhorn Museum in the United States the " Global Top 32 Female Artists," an award also given to the artists such as Yayoi Kusama and Barbara Kruger.
In March 2018, Ai Jing held a solo exhibition "Flowers Behind Every Door" at Shenzhen Art Museum. In October 2018, she held a solo exhibition "My Mom and My Hometown" at the China Industrial Museum in Shenyang. In 2019, she held a two-month solo art exhibition in the Church of San Leonardo in Italy. In 2024, she held a solo exhibition in Los Angeles, USA.
In cooperation with the Writers Publishing House, People's Fine Arts Publishing House, and Foreign Languages Press, Ai Jing has published several collections of works and essays, including "Ai on the Journey," "I Love: Ai Jing," "I Love Color," "Struggle," "Dialogue," "AIJING LOVE ART 2007-2017," and "My Mom and My Hometown."
Artworks in Collections
- In 2019, the sound installation “To Da Vinci” was acquired by the Vinci City government, Italy.
- In 2013, the sculpture “The Wave” was collected by the National Museum of China.
- In 2011, the painting series “LOVE” was acquired by the DSL Collection in France.
EXHIBITION HISTORY
-2024
"All We Need is Love – Ai Jing 2024," solo exhibition, Victory Cinema, Shanghai, China.
"All the World is Green," solo exhibition, Helen J Gallery, Los Angeles, USA
-2023
“Time Gravity” — Chengdu Biennale 2023, joint exhibition, Chengdu Art Museum
-2022
“Trace and Presence” — Contemporary Art Invitational Exhibition, Chongqing YueLai Art Museum
-2021
“Invisible Reality” — Chinese Abstract Art Exhibition, group exhibition, Shenyang Hongmei Cultural Creative Park
“Abundance is Beauty” — Beijing Song Art Museum, joint exhibition
-2020
“In the Name of Flowers”, group exhibition, Shanghai Pearl Art Museum
-2019
“A Tribute To Da Vinci”, solo exhibition, Church of San Leonardo, Cerreto Guidi, Italy “Extended Theatre” — The 1st Public Art Exhibition in Nanhai, joint exhibition, Qiandenghu District, Foshan, Guangdong Province
-2018
“My Mom and My Hometown”, solo exhibition, China Industrial Museum “Flowers Behind Every Door”, solo exhibition, Shenzhen Art Museum
-2017
“Useless Value”, group exhibition, Wanying Art Museum, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province “The 3rd International Art Biennale of Western China”, group exhibition, Inner Mongolia Art Museum, Hohhot
“Chinese Ink · Chinese Narrative” — Special Exhibition of the 20th Anniversary of the HKSAR, group exhibition, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center
“New Tale of Orient” — Young Art from Asia Invitational Exhibition, group exhibition, National Art Museum of China
-2016
“LOVE”, solo exhibition, Marlborough Gallery, New York, USA
"Echo of Civilization: Crossing Dunhuang", joint exhibition, Imperial Ancestral Temple (Taimiao), Beijing
-2015
“Dialogue” — Touring Exhibition by Ai Jing, Ambrosio Art Gallery (Pinacoteca Ambrosiana), Milan, Italy
“LA CHINE ARDENTE — Chinese Contemporary Art Exhibition", joint exhibition, Old Slaughterhouse Art Center, Mons, Belgium
-2014
“LOVE AIJING: Ai Jing’s Love”, solo touring exhibition, China Art Museum, Shanghai
“LOVE AIJING: Ai Jing’s Love”, solo touring exhibition ,Longmen Art Projects, Shanghai
-2012
"I LOVE AIJING: Ai Jing Comprehensive Art Exhibition", solo exhibition, National Museum of China
-2010
“Transforming History” — China (Contemporary) Documentary Exhibition, China National Convention Center
“Transition” — Contemporary Artists Exhibition, joint exhibition, Wenzhou
-2009
“AI WANT TO LOVE”, solo exhibition, New York, USA
“THE DROP — Urban Art Infill”, large comprehensive joint exhibition, New York, USA
“Meet You in a Petal-falling Season” — Contemporary Art Invitational Exhibition, joint exhibition, Songzhuang Jason Gallery
“LOVE IN SHANGHAI 2009”, solo exhibition, Hwas Gallery, Shanghai
-2008
“ALL ABOUT LOVE”, solo exhibition, Beijing Today Art Museum
-2007
“Premonition”, joint exhibition, Shenzhen J & Z Gallery
ART FAIRS
2017 “Art Basel”, Marlborough Gallery, Hong Kong, China
2016 “Armory Show”, Marlborough Gallery, New York, USA
2009 “Context Art Miami”, China Square, Miami, USA
Catalog Collection
The personal catalog has been collected by the following institutions:
- Harvard-Yenching Library, USA
- Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia, Canada
- Phillips Library, USA
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, USA
- Smithsonian Libraries and Archives, USA
- Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, USA
-ASAC Library, Historical Archives of Contemporary Arts (La Biennale di Venezia), Italy
- Kassel Documenta, Germany
- University of York Library, UK
- British Library, UK
- Cambridge University Library, UK
- University of Oxford（Bodleian Libraries）
- Guggenheim Museum Library, USA
- The University of Chicago Library, USA
- Stanford University Libraries, USA
- the Istanbul Biennial Library Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (IKSV)
- The National Library of China, China
- National Art Museum of China, China
- Central Academy of Fine Arts Library, China
- Tsinghua University Art Library, China
- Peking University Library, China
- Library of the China Academy of Art, China
- Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts Library, China
- Library of the Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts, China
- Library of the Lu Xun Academy of Fine Arts, China
- Library of the Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts, China
- Library of the Sichuan Academy of Fine Arts, China
- Library of Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, China
Chronicle
1969
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Born in Shenyang. Liaoning Province
Ai Jing with her great grandfather
1971
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Ai Jing was very close to her maternal grandmother. She wrote the song Grandma 23 years later.
Ai Jing with her gandmother
Ai Jing representing her school in singing competition when she was nine years old.
1980
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Learning to sing and play piano in Children's Palace
1983
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Her father was her first music teacher and used the Chinese instrument Erhu to introduce her to music.
Ai Jing with her father
1985
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Admitted into the Vocal Department at Shenyang School of Art and went on stage and performed around the country with Shenyang Song and Dance Troupe. Came to Beijing and joined the Oriental Song and Dance Troupe when she was 17. Re- corded her album Great Trend that sold more than six million copies. Her song Ah Shenyang, My Hometown in the album became an instant hit.
1988-1989
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She began her career in Guangzhou as a professional singer. She did many remakes of popular Hong Kong and Taiwanese songs yet without her own original works. Changed her name from Ai Jing ("respect") to Ai Jing ("quiet").
Photo from Addicted to Love
1989
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Stared in the TV soap opera Addicted to Love because "she looks like Momoe Yamaguchi and smiles like Komaki Kurihara".
Photo from Five Girls and a Rope
1990
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Entered the Acting Department at the Central Academy of Drama and starred in the movie Five Girls and a Rope by Tomson Films. The movie won an international award three years later and Ai Jing went on the front cover of Popular Film Magazine.
Front cover of Popular Film, ninth issue of 1993
1992
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Signed a contract with Dadi Records of Hong Kong and released her first individual album "My 1997", the production team of which included such top names in Chinese music industry as Huang Xiaomao, Wang Di, Liu Xiaosong, San Er, Wang Yong, He Yong, Chen Jin and San Bao. The album's sale reached two hundred thousands just one month after its release at the beginning of 1993. She changed her name from Ai Jing ("quiet") back to Ai Jing ("respect").
Album cover "My 1997"
1993
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She won the Mayor's Award at Kazakhstan Sound of Asia Music Festival. In October she represented China in Hong Kong Wanchai International Pop Music festival.
Performing at the Hong Kong Wanchai International Pop Music Festival
December - Wandering Swallow won the the Gold Prize and the prize of Best Creative Work at the First Chunlan Cup MTV Convention. The well-known cinematographer Gu Changwei directed the MV, in which Ai Jing's style was very unique.
"Wandering Swallow" MV poster
1994
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Ai Jing released her second album Once Upon a Time on Yanfen Street, in which the songs Once Upon a Time on Yanfen Street and My Grandma were produced by well-known Taiwanese musician Bobby Chen, while Fall in 89, Three Carriages, and lLove in My Dream were produced by Jon Farris, drummer of the world-renowned Australian band INXS. The album My 1997 became in Japan the best performing Asian Foreign Language Album.
"Once Upon a Time in Yanfen Street" album cover
In January she held individual concert at Xi'an Jiaotong University.
In March she participated in Asian Beat concert of Fuji TV Japan.
In July she participated in Meet the World Beat '94 outdoor performance in Osaka, Japan.
In August she participated in the concert of Tokiko Kato in Tokyo and recorded the Chinese version of Flowing River with famous japanese flok singer Tokiko Kato. Tokiko Kato sang the Japanese version of My 1997 earlier.
Ai Jing & Tokiko Kato
In August she participated as well in the concert Club Asia in Nippon Budokan, Tokyo and Nagoya Castle Park, sharing the stage with Dick Lee from Singapore and The Boom from Japan.
In October/November she participated in Asia Music Festival in Kyoto and Tokyo.
Ai Jing & THE BOOM
1995
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In January Ai Jing Sang My 1997 in Hong Kong and recorded a NHK satellite-broadcasting program with Seijij Ozawa in Hong Kong. Was invited a year later by Seiji Ozawa to take part in his Symphony of the Earth concert and her music career in Japan reached a peak.
Ai Jing & Seiji Ozawa
In April she held two individual concerts in Nissin Power Station in Tokyo. (NHK program Asia Live broadcasted via satellite Love in My Dream, WOW WOW live-broadcasted a concert on June 9th). Her second album Once Upon a Time on Yanfen Street was released in Japan.
In August Once Upon A Time on Yanfen Street was released in Hong kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaisia simultaneously, a photo collection Ai Jing - A close up by Christopher Doyle was published, Ai Jing participated in the benefit concert Peace March of Sino-Japanese Youth in Shenyang.
In September Ai Jing took part in Club Asia '95 in Budokan, Tokyo with Cui Jian, father of Chinese Rock'n'roll.
Concert poster
Club Asia '95 Poster
1995 concert scene
1996
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Ai Jing signed with Sony Music in Japan and released her third album Chasing the Moon. Ai Jing wrote most of the song in the album and produced the album together with famed Japanese producer Beatnik.
In May she participated in the memorial concert for Teresa Tang and held a individual performance at Midem ASIA '95 in Hong Kong.
In September she participated in Asia Live in Tokyo.
In December she held two individual concerts Hennessy V.S.O.P Ai Jing Beyond the Boundary in LA Cafe in Shanghai.
"Chasing the Moo" Album Cover
Sketch for her Chasing the Moon album
Photos of Ai Jing in Japan in 1996
1997
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Ai Jing became well known because of "My 1997".
In July she witnessed in Hong Kong with her family the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997.
In August she participated in Sony Music Showcase in Spiral Hall in Tokyo.
In September she participated in the CMJ Music Festival in Avery Fisher Hall in New York Lincoln Center and participated in the 10th anniversary performance celebrating the cooperation between Shanghai TV Station and Osaka NHK.
1997 family photo in Hong Kong
"My 1997" single covers
Ai Jing with Japanese guitarist Kosan and Chinese drummer Liu Xiaosong at the CMJ Music Festival.
1998
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Ai Jing finished recording her fourth album Made in China in the CBS recording studio in Los Angeles, co-produced by herself and Lee Shouquan, father of Taiwan folk music. I was released in Japan and some countries in Asia at the end of the year but not in Mainland China.
"Made in China" cover album
CBS Record
1999
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In June Ai Jing was free again after her contract with Sony Music Japan expired and began looking for new artisitc inspiration, She starred in Hong Kong film "From the Queen to the Chief Executive"
Ai Jing leading role in the film "waiting for the punishement of Dong Jianhua"
Ai Jing's work "The fish", 2000
1999-2000
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Ai Jing learned to paint in Zhang Xiaogang's studio
Ai Jing with Zhang Xiaogang, 1999
2000
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Ai Jing toured Japan and performed in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka.
Ai Jing during her Japan Tour.
2000-2001
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Ai Jing shot the video work "I Love Panda" by getting people to say the same sentence "I Love Panda!" to the camera in Times Square in New York, Shibuya in Japan, Star Ferry in Hong Kong, Great Wall in Beijing. It Was Ai Jing's idea of supporting environmental protection.
I Love Panda
2002
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In August Ai Jing established her own studio.
In December she recorded her fifth album "It is a Dream" in the RAK studio with musicians from London. Her studio independently completed the album.
Ai Jing in the recording studio, 2002.
Ai Jing in London, 2002.
2003
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Ai Jing released her fifth album "It is a dream"
In February she participated in the 3rd Music Bilboard award ceremonyand was nominated for Best Creative Single.
In March she attented the 16th Reims International TV and Film Festival. Black and White, in which she starred, won the Special Prize of the Jury.
In May she wrote a charity song "You are my Angel" during SARS, trying to bring people's attention to nature from urban life, searching for the meaning of life.
"It is a Dream" cover album
Ai Jing in New York, 2003
2004
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In September Ai Jing published "Ai on the Road", her first collection of proses, poems and paintings.
Ai Jing first works collection "Ai on the Road"
2004-2006
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She began to live in New York as an artist, visiting local galleries and museums and painting and cooking. The love series were completed gradually during this time.
Ai Jing in New York, 2004-2006.
Ai Jing in New York, 2004-2006
2007
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While Living in New York, Ai Jing was invited by the Hong kong Ming Pao Group to write a column Ai on the road for Ming. Ai Jing maintained her contact with us through words, informing us on her quite and no so quiet journey.
In April while on collaboration with Ning Hao, she made a brand new album "My 1997 and 2007" to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Hong Kong's handover back to China.
In December her work Premonition took part in a group exhibition at the J&Z Gallery in Shenzhen.
Ai Jing in "Premonition" exhibition
2008
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In May she recorded a new song "My 2008" which was put into "My 1997 and 2007" EP.
"My 1997 and 2007"
"My 2008" cover album
"ALL ABOUT LOVE" cover album
2009
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In May she held her solo exhibition Love in Shanghai 2009 at HWA's Gallery in Shanghai.
In October she participated in THE DROP Urban Art Infill by 2012+ at 531 West 25th Street in Chelsea, New York and her solo exhibition "Ai Want to Love" in New York.
Exhibiton cover "Ai want to love"
Exhibition cover "Love in Shanghai 2009"
2010
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In May she participated in Reshaping History Chinart 2000-2009 in Beijing with her installation work Tree of Life.
Ai Jing's installation "Tree of Life" on display, May 2010
"Tree of Life" Ai Jing signature "Tree of Life" on display
2011
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In June she recorded the single "Question and Answer" and released in limited edition by China Record Shenzhen Corporation.
2012
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In January she released the single "Lover" and shot MV in Utsunomiya in Japan with the production team she brought from Chiina.
In January Ai Jing became an adjunct professor at China Foreign Affairs University.
"Question and Answer" single cover
"Lover" single cover
MV poster for "Lover"
Ai Jing's appointment letter from the China Foreign Affairs University.
"I LOVE:AIJING" exhibition poster
" I LOVE AIJING" Exhibiton Opening Ceremony.
In November, Ai Jing's exhibition "I LOVE AIJING" opened at the National Museum of China, Beijing. She is the first contemporary artist to exhibit at the Museum.
"I LOVE AIJING" album picture
2013
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In June the National Museum of China collected two sculptures by Ai Jing from her serie "Wave".
"Wave" sculptures collection ceremony
2014
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In May Ai Jing's exhibiton 'Love AIJING" opened at the National Museum of Shanghai, she was the first artist to exhibit at the Museum.
2014 exhibiton "I LOVE AIJING" press conference.
In May the People's Fine Art Publishing House published the catalogue "I Love Color".
"I Love Color" Exhibition catalogue
In 2014 the People's Fine Art Publishing House published "Struggle", Ai Jing's first autobiography which retrace her musical and pictural carer. The book is divided in 3 chapters: her music career, her art life and her strugglen retracing her travels, her life in New York and her artistic journey. With her unique language style Ai Jing narrates her love for music, her creation journey and the various stage of her life.
"Struggle"
2015
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On June 5, Aijing hosted her first world tour edition of her exhibition "Love Aijing" at the Veneranda Biblioteca Ambrosiana in Milan, Italy
On the following July, She participated in the group exhibition "Fervent China" Monumental Sculptures in Mons, Belgium
The same year the People's Fine Art Publishing House published the Milan exhibition catalogue untitled "Dialogue"
2016
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In 2016, artist Ai Jing was invited to take part in a group show "Echo of Civilization - Crossing Dunhuang" at the Ancestral Imperial Temple in Beijing, the show featured her works "Flowers Behind Every Door" and "Tree of Life"
"Echo of Civilization - Crossing Dunhuang" exhibition cover.
On March 3, 2016 Marlborough Gallery exhibited Ai Jing new works "I Love Color #16" at its booth at the Armory Show art fair.
"I Love Color #16"
On March 29, Ai Jing held her press conference "Return to New York" about her upcoming solo exhibiton at the Marlborough Gallery in New York.
Major Participants (From left to right): Mr. Pierre Levai (Director of the Marlborough Gallery), Mrs. Marcia Levine (Marlborough Gallery Special Projects), Mr. Chen Lusheng (Ex-Deputy of the National Museum of China, artist, critic), Artist Ai Jing