Ai Weiwei named most powerful artist

Beijing - Art Review magazine has named China's politically outspoken Ai Weiwei as its most powerful artist of 2011.

Ai's fame soared after he was arrested at Beijing airport in April and held for 81 days amid a crackdown on dissidents, lawyers, and government critics. Although freed, he remains charged with economic crimes and has been warned not to make public statements.

In an article accompanying the list published in its November edition, Art Review said Ai's detention and the accompanying international outcry only increased the public's appetite to see his work.

Ai has largely ignored the restrictions placed on him and resumed posting to Twitter. He said he was pleased by the recognition, calling it an endorsement of his campaign for freedom of expression.