Artist known for sculptures of Mao Zedong jailed for slandering ‘heroes and martyrs’
Gao Zhen sentenced to three years in prison after already spending two years in detention Gao Zhen, a prominent Chinese artist known for provocative sculptures of the former leader Mao Zedong, has been sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of slandering China’s “heroes and martyrs”. The sentencing came two years after he was detained while visiting the country with his…
A Chinese artist, Gao Zhen, has been sentenced to three years in prison for creating satirical works that reportedly insulted Mao Zedong, the former leader of China. Gao, who was part of the internationally known artistic duo known as the Gao Brothers, was arrested while visiting family in China in August 2024 and has been in custody ever since.
His wife, Zhao Yaliang, expressed outrage over the verdict, stating that they feel "outraged" and that they have been unable to recover from the news. Amnesty International's China director, Sarah Brooks, criticized the case, calling it an attempt to "illustrate the authorities' determination to deter others from engaging in independent artistic expression."
The case has sparked international condemnation, with rights groups calling for Gao's immediate release and urging the Chinese authorities to repeal the law on heroes and martyrs and cease criminalising peaceful expression and artistic creation.
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