China jails artist Gao Zhen for 3 years for 'insulting heroes'

A prominent Chinese artist, Gao Zhen, has been sentenced to three years in prison for "insulting heroes," a rights group reported on August 25. The 70-year-old artist, known for his works critiquing former leader Mao Zedong and sensitive political topics, received the maximum sentence for the crime.

Gao Zhen, whose name can also be written as Gao Shen, gained fame in the early 2000s alongside his brother Gao Qiang for art that tackled subjects like the Cultural Revolution, the Tiananmen Square protests, and Mao's legacy. His pieces included a sculpture of Mao kneeling, titled "Mao's Guilt," and "Execution of Christ," depicting Mao statues aiming rifles at Jesus.

Gao, who moved to the United States in 2022, was detained at his Beijing studio in August 2024 during a visit to China. He was indicted in June 2025 on charges of "insulting heroes and martyrs." The sentence was handed down by Sanhe City Court in Hebei province, with authorities seemingly applying a 2021 law to artworks created between 2005 and 2009.

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The decision to convict Gao Zhen and sentence him to the maximum three-year prison term under this offence illustrate the authorities’ determination to deter others from engaging in independent artistic expression.

Sarah Brooks, China director for Amnesty International, stated that the conviction and maximum sentence "illustrate the authorities’ determination to deter others from engaging in independent artistic expression." She added, "No artist should face criminal punishment for creating work that challenges official narratives or encourages critical reflection on history."

Gao is scheduled to complete his sentence in August 2027, but he intends to appeal both the conviction and the prison term. Multiple calls to the court by AFP news agency on August 25 went unanswered.

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No artist should face criminal punishment for creating work that challenges official narratives or encourages critical reflection on history.