--- description: A new law would allow authorities to seize migrants' valuables title: Ai Weiwei Closes Exhibit to Protest Denmark's Migrant Rules image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf5bc641029f4a28e/698878f35f570fbdbab1f2cb/ai-weiwei-lego-legal-bulk.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [World](/section/world/) ## World Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Denmark](/tag/denmark/) ## Denmark Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Ai Weiwei Closes Exhibits in Protest at Denmark's Migrant Rules by [Eliza Gray](/author/eliza-gray/) ## Eliza Gray Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jan 27, 2016 11:18 AM CUT  Ai Weiwei stands with his sculpture 'Straight' as he previews works from his landmark art exhibition in London on Sept. 15, 2015. Ai Weiwei stands with his sculpture 'Straight' as he previews works from his landmark art exhibition in London on Sept. 15, 2015.Alex B. Huckle—Getty Images by [Eliza Gray](/author/eliza-gray/) ## Eliza Gray Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jan 27, 2016 11:18 AM CUT The Chinese artist [Ai Weiwei](http://aiweiwei.com/ "undefined") has announced that he will withdraw from exhibits at the ARoS Aarhus Art Museum and the Faurschou Foundation gallery in Copenhagen to protest the Danish parliament’s passage of a new law to restrict migration, _The Local_ [reports](http://www.thelocal.dk/20160127/ai-weiwei-pulls-works-out-of-denmark-to-protest-migrant-bill "undefined"). The law will delay family reunification for some refugees for at [least three years](http://www.euronews.com/2016/01/26/pay-up-or-push-off-immigration-law-passes-in-danish-parliament/ "undefined"), and allow Danish authorities to seize cash and valuables from asylum seekers to cover the costs of their care. In a letter to[ ARoS](https://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=da&u=http://www.aros.dk/om-aros/presse/2015/a-new-dynasty-%25E2%2580%2593-created-in-china/&prev=search "undefined"), obtained by _The Local_, the artist wrote: “I am very shocked about yesterday’s news that the Danish government has decided to seize refugees’ private property. As a result of this regrettable decision, I must withdraw from your exhibition ‘A New Dynasty -Created In China’ to express my protest of the Danish governments’ decision. Please accept my regrets and thank you for your long-term support. I apologize for the inconvenience caused,” In a post on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/BBCbk9sKDxr/?taken-by=aiww "undefined") the artist wrote of the Faurschou Foundation gallery’s support of his decision. Ai Weiwei is a political activist and world famous contemporary artist who lives in Beijing. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4195430/ai-weiwei-closes-exhibit-in-protest-at-denmarks-migrant-rules/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4195430/ai-weiwei-closes-exhibit-in-protest-at-denmarks-migrant-rules/"},"headline":"Ai Weiwei Closes Exhibits in Protest at Denmark's Migrant Rules","datePublished":"2016-01-27T11:18:44.000Z","dateModified":"2026-02-22T14:28:22.769Z","description":"A new law would allow authorities to seize migrants' valuables","url":"https://time.com/4195430/ai-weiwei-closes-exhibit-in-protest-at-denmarks-migrant-rules/","keywords":["Denmark"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf5bc641029f4a28e/698878f35f570fbdbab1f2cb/ai-weiwei-lego-legal-bulk.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Eliza Gray","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/eliza-gray/"}],"articleSection":"World","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf5bc641029f4a28e/698878f35f570fbdbab1f2cb/ai-weiwei-lego-legal-bulk.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Ai Weiwei Previews Works From His Landmark Art Exhibition","caption":"Ai Weiwei stands with his sculpture 'Straight' as he previews works from his landmark art exhibition in London on Sept. 15, 2015.","creditText":"Alex B. 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