Key facts
- Chinese artist Gao Zhen has been sentenced to three years in prison.
- The conviction is for "defaming national heroes and martyrs."
- Gao Zhen is known for satirical sculptures of Mao Zedong.
- The artworks central to the case were created between 2005 and 2009.
- The law under which Gao Zhen was charged went into effect in 2018.
- Gao Zhen was detained in August 2024 and tried in a closed-door trial.
- Gao Zhen's wife and son are prevented from leaving China.
Chinese dissident artist Gao Zhen, known for creating satirical sculptures of former leader Mao Zedong, has been sentenced to three years in prison for "defaming national heroes and martyrs." The verdict was delivered by the Sanhe City People's Court in Hebei province on Tuesday. Gao's wife, Zhao Yaliang, expressed outrage and devastation, stating that her husband plans to appeal the sentence. Gao, 70, was detained in August 2024 during a visit to China and underwent a one-day closed-door trial earlier this year. Chinese Human Rights Defenders researcher Shane Yi criticized the verdict, noting that some artworks central to the case were created as early as 2005, predating the law under which Gao was charged, which went into effect in 2018 and was strengthened in 2021. Western diplomats were reportedly barred from attending the trial, and Gao's wife and son, a U.S. citizen, have been prevented from leaving China since his detention. Gao and his brother Gao Qiang created notable works like "Miss Mao" and "Mao's Guilt," which critiqued the Cultural Revolution.