Dissident artist on trial in China for satirical Mao sculptures, rights group says

Chinese dissident artist Gao Zhen, famous for making provocative satirical sculptures of former leader Mao Zedong, was tried Monday on accusations of “defaming national heroes and martyrs,” his wife and a rights group said.

BEIJING — Chinese dissident artist Gao Zhen, famous for making provocative satirical sculptures of former leader Mao Zedong, was tried Monday on accusations of “defaming national heroes and martyrs,” his wife and a rights group said.

Gao, 69, who was detained in 2024 during a visit from the U.S., faces a maximum three-year prison sentence, said his wife, Zhao Yaliang, and Shane Yi, a researcher at the Chinese Human Rights Defenders group which operates outside the country.

The closed-door, one-day trial took place at Sanhe City People’s Court in Hebei province neighboring the capital, Beijing, and ended without a verdict, Zhao and Yi told Reuters, citing information from his lawyers.

Zhao said she was barred from entering the courtroom. Verdicts are often announced months later in such trials.

The Sanhe Public Security Bureau did not immediately respond to a request for comment on his case.