Ai Weiwei is missing in Taipei

Absence is not exactly a new concept for Ai Weiwei. Indeed, the artist, who's been under virtual house arrest since his detention by Chinese authorities in April recently directed a riot-themed cover shoot for W Magazine, inspired by his own photographs of New York's Tompkins Square riots in the '80s, entirely by Skype.

Ai Weiwei, Washington Square Park Protest (1988)

Ai's new show in Taipei, Taiwan proves yet again that he doesn't need to be present to cause a sensation. Absent, at Taipei Fine Arts Museum until January 29, 2012, brings together Ai's wide range of work, from conceptual art to architectural design and collections of objects to social commentary and action.

Ai Weiwei, Map of China (2004)

Over 100 images from his 1983-1993 New York Photographs will be on show alongside Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads and works made from repurposed Chinese Dynasty artefacts such as a 202BC - 220 AD vase with the Coca-Cola logo painted on it and wooden stools moulded together to create sculptures.

Ai Weiwei, Coca-Cola Vase(2010), Han Dynasty vase (202BC-220AD) and industrial paint

Most impressive though, and filling the 10m high gallery space, is Ai's most recent work, Forever Bicycles - a labyrinth of over one thousand bicycles which appears to move and which signifies the changes in China's social environment.

Ai Weiwei, 42 of Forever Bicycles on show in 2003