Artist Ai Weiwei shows playful side in newly released photo

Activist photographed in 'see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil' poses

Posted Jun 22, 2011

Emily Lodish
GlobalPost

Sharon Lovell photoArtist Ai Weiwei poses as 'see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil' in his Beijing studio for photographer Sharon Lovell on June 30, 2009. He was released on bail Wednesday after being arrested in China on tax evasion charges in April.

"See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil."

The ages-old maxim referring to those who feign ignorance or choose to look the other way is far from Ai Weiwei's motto.

Pictured here acting out the three poses, the dissident Chinese artist overturns the adage and showcases his playful streak.

This never before published photo was taken in Ai's Beijing studio by photographer Sharron Lovell on June 30, 2009.

The buzz surrounding Ai's April 3 arrest at the Beijing airport had died down in recent weeks. But today, the controversial Chinese artist was released "on bail," reportedly for "his good attitude in confessing his crimes," according to Reuters.

This article originally appeared on GlobalPost.

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news, politics & government, arts & culture, visual arts, nation/world, breaking, GlobalPost,

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Artist Ai Weiwei shows playful side in newly released photo

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From the archive: This story is more than 10 years old.

Artist Ai Weiwei shows playful side in newly released photo

Activist photographed in 'see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil' poses