Ai Weiwei Closes Exhibits in Protest at Denmark’s Migrant Rules

The Chinese artist Ai Weiwei 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. The law will delay family reunification for some refugees for at least three years, and allow Danish authorities to seize cash and valuables from asylum seekers to cover the costs of their care.

In a letter to ARoS, 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 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.