Chinese artist on trial for Mao sculptures

March 30, 2026 Comments Off

Originally published by Taipei Times on March 30, 2026

https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2026/04/01/2003854838

Chinese dissident artist Gao Zhen (高兟), famous for making provocative satirical sculptures of former Chinese leader Mao Zedong (毛澤東), was tried on Monday over accusations of “defaming national heroes and martyrs,” his wife and a rights group said.

Gao, 69, who was detained in 2024 during a visit from the US, faces a maximum three-year prison sentence, said his wife, Zhao Yaliang (趙雅良), and Shane Yi, a researcher at the Chinese Human Rights Defenders group which operates outside the nation.

The closed-door, one-day trial took place at Sanhe City People’s Court in Hebei Province neighboring the capital, Beijing, and ended without a verdict, Zhao and Yi said, citing information from his lawyers.

A People’s Liberation Army honor guard stands under an umbrella during heavy snowfall with the Tiananmen Gate featuring a portrait of late Chinese leader Mao Zedong in the background, ahead of the National People’s Congress and the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference in Beijing on March 4.
Photo: Reuters

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The New York-based artist was detained in August 2024 on a family visit to China even though since moving to the US in 2022 he had made multiple trips to China without issues, Yi said.

“This really shows the Chinese government’s logic, when they want to target someone, they can use anything in their power to do so,” she said. “Gao Zhen is an artist. He has a right to artistic freedom, period.”

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Gao Zhen is suffering from malnutrition and has lumbar spine disease, as well as chronic knee and eye conditions that need treatment, Yi said.

Gao Zhen was charged for works between 2005 and 2009, Yi said, while China’s Law on the Protection of Heroes and Martyrs was only established in 2018 and strengthened in 2021.

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