Chinese Artist Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Mao Sculptures

August 25, 2026 Comments Off

Originally published by The New York Times on August 25, 2026

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/25/world/asia/china-artist-gao-zhen-jailed-mao-sculpture.html?unlocked_article_code=1.D1E.nKtB.IvtUQ3e-vgQr&smid=url-share

Gao Zhen, part of a brotherly duo famous for satirical artworks, was convicted of slandering one of China’s heroes after a secret one-day trial.

Gao Zhen, left, and Gao Qiang, with their artwork, “Mao’s Guilt,” in Beijing in 2009.Credit…Shiho Fukada for The New York Times

A Chinese court on Tuesday sentenced a prominent New York-based artist, Gao Zhen, to three years in prison for making irreverent sculptures of Mao Zedong more than 15 years ago, according to his wife.

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Shane Yi, a researcher at the nonprofit Chinese Human Rights Defenders, said that by targeting Mr. Gao, the Chinese authorities were able to remind overseas Chinese citizens that the state still had power over them whether they are abroad or back in China.

“But no matter which motive carries the most weight: A person has been locked up for two years over his art, and his wife and young son, a U.S. citizen, have been barred from leaving China this entire time,” he said.

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