Art world slams Beijing as missing dissident Ai Weiwei’s work goes on show at the Lisson Gallery

Published: 13th May, 2011
by JOSH LOEB

ARTWORKS by Ai Weiwei went on display in Westminster this week, prompting gallery owners to demand the Chinese government release information about the whereabouts of the missing artist. 

An exhibition of Ai’s works opened at the Lisson Gallery in Bell Street, Marylebone, today (Friday), and the artist’s first public sculpture in London – Animals/Zodiac Heads – can currently be seen in the Somerset House courtyard.

Ai was detained by the Chinese authorities on his way out of Beijing airport 40 days ago and his friends and family have heard nothing of his fate since.

Gwyn Miles, director of the Somerset House Trust, said he was “dismayed and aggrieved” by Beijing’s actions.

He said: “We deplore the actions taken against Ai Weiwei and his friends and colleagues, and indeed any curtailment of an individual’s human rights. We are very concerned about their safety and wellbeing and ask for information on their whereabouts to be released and them not to be detained without a fair trial. Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads at Somerset House is going ahead as planned. Ai Weiwei has chosen and approved the installation set up for Circle of Animals at Somerset House. 

“We believe that now more than ever, Ai Weiwei’s work should be seen and appreciated by as many people as possible. The free installation will continue to ensure that the artist’s work has a presence in London.”

A spokeswoman for the Lisson Gallery said the venue was “alarmed” by the detention of Ai and called on people to sign a petition calling for his release.

Last week China said foreign countries should cease commenting on Ai’s case.