CHINA Artist Gao Zhen arrested in Beijing for his sculptures critical of Mao

The New York-based sculptor was arrested in his studio in the Chinese capital when he returned to visit his family. According to his lawyer, he could be charged with “damaging the reputation or honour of heroes and martyrs”. The ruling Communist Party is tightening its grip on the narrative of history.

Beijing (/Agencies) – Chinese artist Gao Zhen (高兟) has been arrested for his sculptures critical of Mao Zedong, made years ago. Gao Zhen’s younger brother, Gao Qiang (高强), confirmed that Gao Zhen had been arrested for “damaging the reputation or honour of heroes and martyrs”. The charge is based on a 2021 amendment to China’s Criminal Law. He is currently being held in Sanhe, a small town near the capital, Beijing.

The Gao brothers – Gao Zhen (born 1956) and Gao Qiang (born 1962) – became famous for their sculptures depicting Mao. Their works also reflected contemporary Chinese society. The Gao brothers live in the United States. Gao Zhen returned to China two months ago with his wife and son to visit his family. They were scheduled to travel to New York on September 3. Gao Zhen was arrested on August 26 after a police raid on his art studio outside Beijing.

The two artists lived for years in Beijing before moving to New York. The family personally experienced the cruelty of the Cultural Revolution. The Gao brothers’ father was persecuted to death in prison when the two artists were still very young. The Gao brothers began their artistic activity in 1985. Following the Chinese authorities’ suppression of the Tiananmen protest in 1989, they created paintings to commemorate the victims of the massacre. They used their sculptures to show their satirical attitude towards Chinese politics and society. Their works depicted politicians, policemen, migrant workers, dissidents, prostitutes, Olympic stars, from all walks of life. Among the works depicting the Chinese leader, “Miss Mao” has large breasts and a long nose, showing a grotesque image of a monstrous and lying mother figure. The Gao brothers’ best-known work dates from 2009: the “Execution of Christ,” which shows a team of Mao pointing guns at Jesus. Another famous work shows Mao on his knees, confessing his sins.

Under China’s latest law, “damaging the reputation or honour of heroes and martyrs” carries a maximum of three years in prison. A lawyer met Gao Zhen during his detention and is not optimistic about his condition. According to the lawyer, the police brought photos of sculptures of Mao to the Gao brothers’ art studio in Beijing as evidence. The authorities apparently viewed Mao as a hero and a martyr so that Gao could be sentenced to prison. However, the sculptures were created more than ten years ago and China only amended the articles on “damaging the reputation or honour of heroes and martyrs” in its legislation three years ago.

Since Xi Jinping came to power, Chinese authorities have tightened their grip on ideology and the space for artists has been greatly reduced. The charge of “harming the reputation or honour of heroes and martyrs” has become a weapon against debates and opinions that differ from the authorities’ narrative on their own history, as well as current trends. Chinese investigative journalist Luo Changping was sentenced to seven months in jail for questioning the justification for the Chinese military’s involvement in the 1950 Korean War. Qiu Ziming was jailed for eight months for questioning the death toll of the Chinese military in the February 2021 China-India border conflict. Qiu was the first person to be charged since the new law came into force in March 2021.