Chinese artist Ai Weiwei is not one to stay quiet. Following a three-month prison sentence earlier this year after the government accused him of tax evasion and spreading "pornography," Ai ignored an order to stay quiet by tweeting out the Chinese phrase for "What's up?" upon his release. His willingness to continue speaking out, despite pressure from the Chinese government, earned him a spot (18) on the FP 2011 Top 100 Global Thinkers. FP contributing editor Christina Larson stopped by his quirky Beijing studio earlier this year, where Ai continues producing revolutionary work that recently won him the title of "most important artist" on Earth.

Above, the artist poses for the camera.

12345678NEXT