Ai Weiwei wants to raise awareness about refugee crisis

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Chinese artist Ai Weiwei wants to raise consciousness about the plight of refugees through his, and his students’, art.

Ai, who has made his name as much through his clashes with Chinese authorities as through his art, has set up a studio on the Greek island of Lesbos, the main point of entry for hundreds of thousands of refugees over the past year. The studio will produce several projects with themes related to the refugee crisis from him and his students, Ai told reporters.

Ai told The Associated Press he expects to visit Lesbos several times over the next year, or even beyond, if the crisis persists beyond 2016. He says about six to 10 artists will be working at the studio.