China dissident ‘on trial’ for satirical Mao sculptures
Chinese dissident artist Gao Zhen, famous for creating provocative satirical sculptures of former leader Mao Zedong, is on trial for “defaming national heroes and martyrs,” his wife and a human rights group say.
His wife Zhao Yaliang and researcher Shane Yi from the Chinese Human Rights Defenders group operating outside the country said that 69-year-old Gao, who was detained during his visit to the USA in 2024, faces a maximum prison sentence of three years.
Citing information received from their lawyers, Zhao and Yi told Reuters that the one-day closed hearing was held at the Sanhe City People’s Court in Hebei province, neighboring the capital Beijing, and ended without a decision.
Zhao said he was banned from entering the courtroom.
Decisions in such cases are usually announced months later.
The Sanhe Public Security Bureau did not immediately respond to a request for comment on his case.
Yi added that the New York-based artist was detained during a family visit to China in August 2024, although he had traveled to China many times without incident after moving to the United States in 2022.
“This really shows the logic of the Chinese government; when they want to target someone, they can use whatever they can to do it,” he said.
“Gao Zhen is an artist. He is entitled to artistic freedom, period.”
Along with his brother Gao Qiang, Gao produced many provocative statues of Mao that criticized the Cultural Revolution of 1966–1976, a period of social unrest and widespread political persecution that led to the deaths of millions in China.
An official X post said European Union diplomats attempted to attend the hearing but the Chinese mission was prevented from entering the hearing.
His most famous works include “Miss Mao,” which features Mao’s disturbing features such as Pinocchio noses and breasts, and “Mao’s Crime,” a bronze statue of the leader kneeling in remorse.
Gao’s wife said that she and her seven-year-old son, a US citizen, were under an exit ban and could not leave China.
“This is a big blow for me,” Zhao told Reuters.
“My son has not seen his father since last year and we have been banned from sending him letters since last May. This has had a significant impact on my son’s emotions and health.”
Gao suffered from malnutrition and had lumbar spine disease, as well as chronic knee and eye conditions that required treatment, Yi said.
Yi said that Gao was accused of his work between 2005 and 2009, while China’s “Law on the Protection of Heroes and Martyrs” was only created in 2018 and strengthened in 2021.
The law has previously been used to prosecute soldiers and members of the military who died in the line of duty, as well as individuals accused of insulting historical figures.
A stand-up comedian was censored in 2021 and his comedy company was fined US$2 million ($2.9 million) after he made a joke referencing the People’s Liberation Army slogan.
