World
Chinese Artist Gao Zhen Detained for Critiquing Cultural Revolution
Explore the story of Chinese artist Gao Zhen, who has been detained for his bold critiques of the Cultural Revolution. Discover the implications of his arrest on freedom of expression and the role of art in challenging historical narratives.
Chinese Artist Gao Zhen Detained for Cultural Critique
Gao Zhen, a notable Chinese artist, has garnered international recognition for his provocative works that critique the Cultural Revolution. However, he has recently faced detention in China, as confirmed by his brother and artistic collaborator, Gao Qiang, on Monday.
The Gao brothers are particularly renowned for their thought-provoking statues of Mao Zedong, which often challenge traditional perceptions of the leader. One of their most striking pieces, titled “Mao’s Guilt,” features a bronze statue of Mao depicted on his knees, embodying a sense of supplication and remorse.
According to Gao Qiang, the police in Sanhe City detained Gao Zhen, who had relocated to the United States two years prior, last week during a visit to China. The authorities have accused him of slandering China’s heroes and martyrs, a serious charge that could result in a prison sentence of up to three years.
In addition to his arrest, numerous artworks created by the brothers over a decade ago were confiscated by the police. Gao Qiang noted that these pieces aimed to reassess and critique Mao’s Cultural Revolution. Among the confiscated works were:
- “Mao’s Guilt”
- “The Execution of Christ,” a statue portraying Jesus confronting a firing squad of Maos
- “Miss Mao,” a controversial collection featuring statues of Mao with exaggerated features, including large breasts and a Pinocchio-like nose
The incident unfolded on August 26 when around 30 police officers raided the brothers’ art studio located in Yanjiao, a town in Sanhe City approximately an hour from Beijing. Gao Qiang recounted that the officers demanded Gao Zhen, aged 68, to surrender his mobile phone. When he refused, they proceeded to handcuff and arrest him.
At the time of his detention, Gao Zhen was in China accompanied by his wife and son, visiting family. The following day, his wife received notification from the Sanhe City public security bureau regarding his detention on the charges of slandering heroes and martyrs, as detailed by his younger brother, Gao Qiang, aged 62.