China Jails Artist Gao Zhen 3 Years Over Mao Sculptures Made Before 2018 Law
Updated
Updated · DW (English) · Aug 26
China Jails Artist Gao Zhen 3 Years Over Mao Sculptures Made Before 2018 Law
3 articles · Updated · DW (English) · Aug 26
Summary
A Chinese court sentenced Gao Zhen, 70, to three years in prison after a closed one-day trial over satirical Mao Zedong sculptures, according to his wife and rights advocates.
The conviction rested on China's heroes-and-martyrs law, yet the works cited — including 2005 and 2009 pieces — predated the 2018 law by years, critics said.
Authorities arrested the New York-based sculptor during a Beijing visit in August 2024 and have since barred his wife Zhao Yaliang and their U.S.-citizen son from leaving China, she said.
The artworks reportedly included "Mao's Guilt," showing Mao kneeling remorsefully, and the "Miss Mao" series depicting him with breasts and a Pinocchio-like nose.
Amnesty International and Chinese Human Rights Defenders called the sentence a free-expression violation and demanded Gao's immediate release, saying the case aims to deter independent artistic expression.