Gao Zhen, a 69-year-old dissident artist based in New York, has been tried in China over accusations of "defaming national heroes and martyrs" through his satirical sculptures of former leader Mao Zedong. The trial, which took place on Monday at the Sanhe city people's court in Hebei province, was a closed-door, one-day proceeding that concluded without an immediate verdict, according to his wife, Zhao Yaliang, and Shane Yi, a researcher at the Chinese human rights defenders group.
Detention and Trial Details
Gao Zhen was detained in August 2024 during a family visit to China, despite having made several trips to the country without incident since moving to the United States in 2022. His wife, Zhao Yaliang, reported that she was barred from entering the courtroom during the trial, and the Sanhe public security bureau has not responded to requests for comment on the case. The artist faces a maximum prison sentence of three years if convicted under China's laws protecting heroes and martyrs.
Artistic Works and Historical Context
Gao, along with his brother Gao Qiang, created several sculptures of Mao Zedong that critique the Cultural Revolution, a period from 1966 to 1976 marked by social turmoil and political persecution in China, resulting in millions of deaths. Their most notable works include "Miss Mao," which depicts Mao with a Pinocchio nose and breasts, and "Mao's Guilt," a bronze statue showing the former leader kneeling remorsefully. Shane Yi emphasized that Gao was tried for works produced between 2005 and 2009, predating China's 2018 law on protecting heroes and martyrs, which was strengthened in 2021.
International Response and Human Rights Concerns
European Union diplomats attempted to attend the trial but were blocked from entering the court, as stated in a post on X by the EU's mission to China. Shane Yi criticized the Chinese government's actions, stating, "This shows the Chinese government's logic, when they want to target someone, they can use anything in their power to do so. Gao Zhen is an artist. He has a right to artistic freedom, period." The case highlights broader concerns about human rights and freedom of expression in China, with reports indicating the use of financial tactics to coerce individuals who flee the country.
Family Impact and Health Issues
Zhao Yaliang revealed that she and their seven-year-old son, a U.S. citizen, are under exit bans and cannot leave China. She told Reuters, "My son hasn't seen his father since the year before last, and we have been barred from sending letters to him since last May. It's had a significant impact on my son's emotions and health." Additionally, Gao Zhen is suffering from malnutrition and has medical conditions including lumbar spine disease and chronic knee and eye problems that require treatment, according to Shane Yi.
