- Gao Zhen was sentenced to three years in prison for creating satirical artwork that mocked Mao Zedong, specifically for 'infringing upon the reputation of heroes'.
- The Sanhe People's Court in Hebei province issued the ruling against Gao Zhen following a closed court hearing in March.
- Gao Zhen was detained in August 2024 while visiting family in China, where he was accused of insulting revolutionary figures.
- His artworks include a 2009 sculpture titled 'Mao's Guilt' and the 'Miss Mao' series, which features a caricatured version of Mao.
- Gao Zhen intends to appeal the sentence, while his wife and son remain in China awaiting decisions on their travel ban.
- Gao Zhen is known for his politically charged artworks that confront themes of censorship and authoritarianism, gaining prominence during a more open era in China.
- In 2018, a law was enacted prohibiting criticism of national heroes, under which Gao was convicted.
- The charge against Gao Zhen was introduced after the creation of his controversial works, illustrating the retrospective application of the law.
Gao Zhen, a US-based artist, was sentenced to three years in prison by the Sanhe People's Court in Hebei province for creating satirical sculptures of Mao Zedong. His conviction, which cites "infringing upon the reputation of heroes", reflects China's increasing restrictions on artistic expression, particularly following a 2018 law that criminalizes criticism of national figures.123456891011
Gao, who was detained in August 2024 while visiting family, is known for his provocative works, including Mao's Guilt, which depicts Mao kneeling in repentance, and the Miss Mao series, featuring a caricatured version of the leader. His wife, Zhao Yaliang, expressed her disappointment at the ruling, stating, "I felt two years was my limit, and I was really disappointed and sad. I haven't been able to catch my breath."
Human rights advocates, including Amnesty International, condemned the sentence as an attack on creative freedom. Shane Yi from Chinese Human Rights Defenders called it a clear violation of freedom of expression, noting that the artworks were created before the law was enacted. The case has drawn international attention, with a petition for Gao's release signed by over 200 Chinese artists and writers.
The verdict, delivered in a closed court, underscores the Chinese government's determination to suppress dissenting voices in the arts, as Gao's brother, Gao Qiang, lamented, "Nearly two years have passed. This nightmare must end."
“The sentence, handed down by the Sanhe People's Court in Hebei, follows a closed hearing in March; Gao's wife and son remain in China awaiting a travel ban decision. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, condemned the ruling as a suppression of creative freedom, and Gao plans to appeal.”
The Times
