Artists at Risk Connection Condemns Arbitrary Arrest of Chinese Artist Gao Zhen
China
September 2, 2024
(NEW YORK) – Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Chinese dissident artist, Gao Zhen who was arrested on August 26, 2024 in Samhe City near Beijing, China. Zhen’s arrest under the 2018 Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Heroes and Martyrs, frequently referred to as the “Heroes and Martyrs Protection Law,” punishes him for artworks he created nearly ten years ago. The artworks in question include works critical of China’s Cultural Revolution, such as a series of sculptures irreverently depicting former chairman of the Chinese Communist Party, Mao Zedong. The artworks were created by Gao Zhen and his brother Gao Qiang, who are famously known as the Gao Brothers, at least 15 years ago.
“Zhen’s arrest is a stark and alarming reminder of China’s relentless and unforgiving assault on free speech and artistic freedom,” said Julie Trebault, Director of ARC. “His arrest under the Heroes and Martyrs’ Protection Law, for artwork that predates the law itself, demonstrates that the Chinese government views any form of independent thought and creativity as a threat, warranting criminalization—even if it means reaching into the past to find an alleged crime.”
According to his brother, Zhen was arrested by Samhe City Police on Monday, August 26th at his studio which was also raided by the police, who confiscated his artworks. Gao Zhen is based in New York, but was in China to visit relatives. If convicted, Gao Zhen could face up to three years in jail.
The brothers had previously encountered efforts by the authorities to censor their work and prevent it from being shown. However, neither had faced criminal charges or detention, even when other artists, such as Ai Wei Wei were detained.
ARC calls for Chinese authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Gao Zhen and permit him to return to the United States, where he has permanent residency. ARC also calls on the authorities to return the artworks, undamaged, to the Gao brothers’ studio.
ABOUT ARC
Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) is an international organization committed to promoting and advancing artistic freedom worldwide. We work to protect artists and cultural workers who are at risk because of their creative expression, often connected to their identities or roles within their communities. ARC helps artists at risk overcome challenges like persecution, censorship, threats, and violence from both state and non-state actors.
Contact: Elias Ephron, eephron@artistsatriskconnection.org