US-based artist jailed in China for three years over sculptures mocking Mao

August 25, 2026       Comments Off on US-based artist jailed in China for three years over sculptures mocking Mao
US-based artist jailed in China for three years over sculptures mocking Mao

Originally published by Independent on August 25, 2026

https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/china/gao-zhen-artist-mao-sentence-b3038899.html

A three-year prison sentence was handed down to Chinese artist Gao Zhen on Tuesday after he was convicted of “infringing upon the reputation of heroes” for creating satirical artwork, including sculptures depicting China’s former leader Mao Zedong.

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Chinese artist Gao Zhen was sentenced to three years in prison on Tuesday for “infringing upon the reputation of heroes” (HRF)

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Shane Yi, a researcher with Chinese Human Rights Defenders advocating on the case, described the sentence as “a very clear case of a violation of a person’s freedom of expression.” Yi noted that the sculptures were created prior to the passage of the law under which Gao was sentenced, adding that the artist intends to appeal.

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