Ai Weiwei free to travel following controversial 2011 arrest
Posted on 30 July 2015.
Posted in:

In April 2013 Hampstead Theatre produced, and free streamed to 84 countries around the world, Howard Brenton’s critically acclaimed #AIWW: The Arrest of Ai Weiwei.
On 3 April 2011, as Chinese artist Ai Weiwei was boarding a flight to Taipei, he was arrested at Beijing Airport. He was simply told that his travel “could damage state security”, and then escorted to a van by government officials. Weiwei then disappeared for 81 days, detained without trial, under suspicion of tax evasion.
Upon his arrest, Ai Weiwei was stripped of his passport, meaning that the artist was not able to leave China for four years. Although he was unable to attend Hampstead Theatre’s production, he was able to watch the live stream. Only last week, on Wednesday 22 July, Ai Weiwei announced via Twitter that his passport had been returned.
This will allow Ai Weiwei to attend the opening of the Royal Academy of Arts forthcoming exhibition of his work, titled Ai Weiwei, running from 19 September until 13 December this year.
Latest from Twitter:
-
Hampstead Theatre @Hamps_Theatre
🚨 Calling all Lighting Extraordinaires 🚨 We're looking for an exceptional individual to deliver all lighting, sou… https://t.co/5uJ9znX0Sv
1 days ago -
Hampstead Theatre @Hamps_Theatre
In light of the recently announced lockdown, we regretfully confirm that rest of the programmed run of The Dumb Wai… https://t.co/GKxHkOXkZC
12 days ago -
Hampstead Theatre @Hamps_Theatre
Thank you for all your support and encouragement this year. We can’t wait to see you in 2021 - until then, take car… https://t.co/fJrQPyG8hL
1 months ago
KEEPING YOU SAFE AT HAMPSTEAD

SOCIAL DISTANCING

REDUCED AUDIENCE CAPACITY

FACE MASKS REQUIRED

TEMPERATURE CHECKS

START OF THE ART VENTILATION

ENHANCED CLEANING

CONTACTLESS TICKETS

HAND SANITIZING STATIONS

CASHLESS PAYMENT