Chinese artist Gao Zhen sentenced to three years in prison for satirical sculptures of Mao Zedong
The works were exhibited in 2009, almost ten years before the law under which he was charged came into effect
Chinese artist Gao Zhen has been sentenced to a maximum of three years in prison for creating satirical sculptures of Mao Zedong, according to the People’s Court of Sanhe City, Hebei Province. The charges stem from three works exhibited in 2009, featuring Mao in various humiliating positions. Gao was initially held for two years, which will be added to his potential sentence if his appeal fails.
The Law on Protection of Heroes and Martyrs, enacted in 2018, is what Gao is accused of violating. Gao and his brother, Gao Qiang, known collectively as the Gao Brothers, were prominent figures in Beijing’s contemporary art scene during the early 2000s. They faced less stringent censorship during that time. At 69, Gao has reportedly suffered from chronic back problems and recently may have experienced a stroke or arteriosclerosis.
His arrest has put a spotlight on the new law and China’s artistic censorship practices. Since Gao’s arrest, 181 Chinese cultural figures have signed a petition calling for his release, and his case has been criticized by the UN and various human rights organizations.
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