Satirical sculptors Gao brothers face a 3-year prison sentence for “infringing upon the reputation of heroes” over works including Mao Zedong statues; artists questioned authorities through provocative art.
Gao Zhen, a U.S.-based artist of the Gao Brothers, has been sentenced to three years in a Hebei prison for works the Chinese authorities deem insulting to revolutionary figures. He has been detained since August 2024. Amnesty International and UN rights groups condemn the ruling as a crackdown on artistic expression. His wife aims to reunite with him in the U.S. and continues to pursue an appeal.