“I put all my effort into breaking the shackles of childhood memories by being an independent-minded rebel,” Ai Weiwei boldly expressed in a new book authored by curator Gesine Borcherdt. The book named “Dream on Baby” gathers childhood memories of 33 artists, revealing how early experiences shaped their creativity.
Inspired by her 2020 exhibition ‘Dream Baby Dream’ at Haus Mödrath in Germany, Borcherdt sought to preserve these unique stories. Ai Weiwei’s account of exile near the Gurbantünggüt Desert highlights how deprivation fueled his quest for “an absolutely free space to think.” Vaginal Davis remembers a bookstore’s meticulous packaging influencing her art practice.
Moreover, Liu Ye recalls his boyhood during the Cultural Revolution, while Lynn Hershman Leeson speaks of daily visits to the Cleveland Museum of Art. Richard Billingham finds joy amid poverty. Berlinde de Bruyckere reflects on drawing as an act of resistance against her strict Catholic upbringing, saying, “Being an artist was no deliberate choice.”
Some artists, like Jeff Koons, Lynda Benglis, and Ryan Trecartin, describe supportive childhoods where their eccentricities were embraced. Laurie Simmons recalls her parents explaining her differences by saying, “She’s an artist.”
Accompanied by childhood photos and early artworks, “Dream On Baby” offers a poignant look at the roots of creative genius. Purchase a copy now on Hatje Cantz’s website for $49.95 USD.
