Chinese artist Ai Weiwei’s first North American survey of his work will be unveiled Sunday, October 7, at the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum. Ai Weiwei: According to What is a full-floor exhibition filled with sculptures, photography, video and audio work created by the Beijing Olympic Stadium designer widely known for his outspoken criticism of the Chinese government.

“I’ve experienced dramatic changes in my living and working conditions over the past few years, and this exhibition has been an opportunity to re-examine past work and communicate with audiences from afar,” said Ai in a statement to the Hirshhorn Museum. “I see it as a stream of activities rather than a fixed entity. It is part of a continual process in self-expression.”

The 55-year-old artist will not be present at the opening since he’s not allowed to leave China. In April 2011, Chinese authorities arrested Ai and thoroughly searched his studio. He was later charged with tax evasion, but Chinese government critics maintain he was detained for his political activities. Upon his release three months later, he was still subjected to government surveillance and barred from traveling abroad.

The exhibition’s opening comes shortly after Chinese authorities late September denied Ai’s appeal against the tax evasion charges. A few days later, they revoked the business license of his design company, Fake Cultural Development Ltd., for failing to re-register.

An updated version of a 2009 show at Tokyo’s Mori Art Museum, Ai Weiwei: According to What will run until Feb. 24, 2013. After that, it will travel to other venues in the U.S. and Canada.