World-famous and beloved Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has been 'disappeared' by China's state security forces. Every trace of Ai's life and art have been erased from the Chinese internet, and his only hope may be a global outcry for his release.

Fearful of the pro-democracy protests sweeping the world, the government has cracked down on hundreds of free-thinking Chinese artists, intellectuals, students and citizens. But across the world, artists and art-lovers have begun to speak out in solidarity with Ai.

Chinese elites love buying contemporary art, and are planning a huge art fair in Beijing. If international galleries and artists withdraw from the fair, they'll send shockwaves through the regime. Let's build a massive global wave of support for top gallerists and artists to stop exhibiting in China until Ai Weiwei is freed. We’ll deliver it at the Venice Biennale exhibition soon, and publish the reactions of major galleries and artists.

Support this call at:

http://www2.avaaz.org/en/artists_for_ai_weiwei/96.php?CLICKTF

See also, the guardian.co.uk's: Ai Weiwei: 'China in many ways is just like the middle ages' at:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2011/apr/11/ai-weiwei-china-last-interview

and The South African Art Times' Editor's Choice: Bloomberg news: 'Ai Weiwei Is Unlikely to Be Intimidated by Chinese Thugs' at: 

http://www.arttimes.co.za/news_read.php?news_id=3981

and The South African Art Times' Editor's Choice: Artdaily: 'Art Community Around the World Rally to Aid China's Best-Known Contemporary Artist' at:

http://www.arttimes.co.za/news_read.php?news_id=4104