18 Feb 2014

Artist wants to apologise for smashing Ai Weiwei vase

A Florida artist who smashed a $1m vase by dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei in protest tells Channel 4 News he wants to apologise.

Weiwei China vase Caminero Perez Art Museum Miami

Maximo Caminero was charged with criminal mischief after the incident on Sunday, writes Matthew Moore.

He was expected to give a media conference today, but in a phone call with Channel 4 News he said his lawyer had advised him not to.

He said: “I would really like to apologise to Mr Weiwei for distrubing his peace, and for all the inconvenience I caused.

“I did not want to disturb the peace of Mr Weiwei’s peronal life. I admire the work of Mr Weiwei, I have nothing against him and I have no problem with him personally.”

Act of protest

Earlier he reportedly defended his actions, telling a local newspaper that he did it “for all the local artists in Miami that have never been shown in museums here”.

Jamne Finlayson, who runs a gallery which exhibits Mr Caminero’s work, said she was standing by him.

“I support him as an artist and respect his act of protest,” she told Channel 4 News over the phone.

She suggested Mr Caminero would find support among fellow artists in Miami, saying: “A lot of people feel the way Maximo does.”