Artist Gao Zhen, who has been detained in China since returning there from the US in 2024, was subject to a one-day trial on 30th March on charges of defaming Chinese national icons. The trial took place in camera at Sanhe, in Heibei province.
Prosecutors cited three satirical sculptures of Mao Zedong created by Gao. The Execution of Christ is a 2009 installation of seven Mao statues forming a firing squad to shoot Jesus. Mao’s Guilt is a statue of Mao kneeling in repentance, also from 2009. Miss Mao is a bust of Mao with female breasts and a long Pinocchio-like nose, produced in various versions since 2007.
Prosecutors cited three satirical sculptures of Mao Zedong created by Gao. The Execution of Christ is a 2009 installation of seven Mao statues forming a firing squad to shoot Jesus. Mao’s Guilt is a statue of Mao kneeling in repentance, also from 2009. Miss Mao is a bust of Mao with female breasts and a long Pinocchio-like nose, produced in various versions since 2007.
The law Gao has been accused of breaking came into effect in 2018. A Chinese comedy talent agency was fined the equivalent of more than $2 million in 2023 under the same law, after a stand-up comedian made a joke about the Chinese People’s Army.