Chinese artist sentenced to 3 years in prison over satirical Mao statues

Chinese artist Gao Zhen has been sentenced to three years in prison by the Sanhei People's Court in Hebei province for "infringing upon the reputation of heroes." The charges stem from his satirical artworks, including statues of Mao Zedong, which authorities deemed insulting to revolutionary figures. Gao, a U.S.-based artist known internationally as part of the Gao Brothers, was arrested in August 2024 while visiting family in China and has been in custody since. Human rights advocates and Amnesty International have criticized the sentence, calling it a violation of freedom of expression and a deterrent to independent artistic creation. Gao plans to appeal the decision, which relates to works created before the law he was convicted under was passed.

Prominent Chinese artist Gao Zhen has been sentenced to three years in prison for slandering China’s “heroes and martyrs.” Gao, known for his sculptures of Mao Zedong, was detained in August 2024 and has been in custody for two years. The charges stem from artworks created over a decade before the law under which he was convicted was enacted in March 2018. International condemnation has followed, with human rights groups highlighting that the law is being used to suppress independent artistic expression. Gao, a US permanent resident, has experienced health issues in detention, and his wife and son, a US citizen, are unable to leave China.