BEIJING (AP) — Influential British magazine Art Review has named China's politically outspoken Ai Weiwei as its most powerful artist of 2011.

The honor is the latest sign of how Ai's fame has soared following his arrest at Beijing airport in April and subsequent 81 days in detention amid a crackdown on dissidents, lawyers, and government critics. Although freed, he remains under investigation for economic crimes and has been warned  not to make public statements.