Time magazine has named Ai (EYE) Weiwei (Way-Way), the internationally renowned artist, to their annual list of the one hundred most influential people in the world. Ai, the only fine artist on the list, has been missing for the past month.
The highly acclaimed artist is one of the most outspoken critics of the Chinese government. Last month he was at a Beijing airport headed to Hong Kong, when he disappeared. It is generally speculated that he is being detained by the Chinese government, although his whereabouts are unknown.
His disappearance has created international concern, and some local Portland residents are taking action. Ryan Pierce, an adjunct faculty at Pacific Northwest College of Art, and Amy Harwood, a local organizer, have created a poster project titled “Weiwei Works Here.” The posters, which can be viewed around the Portland area, are part of an effort to garner more wide-spread public awareness of the artists’ disappearance.
KBOO’s Sarina Fong spoke with Amy Harwood about the project.
- KBOO