German museum to showcase work of Chinese dissident Ai Weiwei

Jul 4, 2011, 15:16 GMT

Duisburg, Germany - A German museum said Monday it would showcase the work of Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei, just two weeks after the artist was released from prison.

The DKM museum in the city of Duisburg wanted to draw attention to the 'unsustainable situation' of the artist and that of his colleagues who were still in prison, the museum said. The exhibition is to begin on Friday.

The artist was unexpectedly released from prison after two-and-a-half months detention, but he is not allowed to leave Beijing or reveal information about his case.

Ai, who was arrested on charges of tax evasion, is one of China's most-recognized contemporary artists and was involved in the design of the Bird's Nest stadium for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

He was released just before Prime Minister Wen Jiabao arrived on a visit to Germany. Chancellor Angela Merkel specifically welcomed his release during a joint press conference with the premier.

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