Chinese artist Ai Weiwei to collect Lego from fans around world for artwork after toy firm refuses to sell him bricks on ‘political grounds’

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei will set up a network of collection points to receive Lego block donations, he said on Monday, after he set off a social media storm by accusing the Danish toy company of refusing a bulk order on political grounds.

The children’s toy became embroiled in controversy when Ai - who used the toy bricks to create portraits of political activists from around the world for a US exhibition last year - said the firm had told him it would not sell directly to users with “political” intentions.

Ai is China’s most prominent contemporary artist, who helped design the Bird’s Nest stadium for the Beijing Olympics and his work has been exhibited worldwide, but he has also run afoul of Communist authorities.

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Fans offered online to give him their Lego blocks and a post on his Instagram account said on Monday: “Ai Weiwei has now decided to make a new work to defend freedom of speech and ‘political art’. Ai Weiwei Studio will announce the project description and Lego collection points in different cities.”

His Instagram account also shows a picture of Lego bricks in a toilet bowl with the caption “Everything is awesome”, the tagline of The Lego Movie.