On June 1, 2025, the Free Sculpture Park will hold an event commemorating the 36th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre, where a new large sculpture titled “Garbage of History” by Chinese sculptor Chen Weiming will be unveiled. The event will also feature a performance of the rock song “Topple the Communist Party” by the band “Pangu” and a screening of the award-winning documentary “Dissenters.” Several political commentators and internet celebrities, including “Teacher Li is Not Your Teacher,” will attend this gathering to speak up for freedom and human rights.
The sculpture, “Garbage of History,” features a real heavy-duty excavator as its base, with the scoop bearing the heads of 11 infamous authoritarian dictators such as Marx, Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, Mao Zedong, and Deng Xiaoping, symbolizing the tyrannical ideologies and brutal reigns they led, causing endless disasters for humanity, to be swept into the garbage heap of history.
“I believe that with the increasing waves of democracy and the decaying nature of the Chinese Communist regime, which is increasingly hostile to the people, this sculpture signifies the collapse of the CCP and being swept into the garbage heap of history,” said Chen Weiming.
Regarding his inspiration for the artwork, Chen Weiming noted a common historical phenomenon where countries that adopted Marxist and communist ideologies to seize power have experienced severe humanitarian disasters and conflicts, leading to a lack of freedom and dignity for the people. He emphasized the contrast between countries under communist regimes and those without such systems, highlighting the importance of basic human rights, freedom of speech, support for the vulnerable, and social welfare in non-totalitarian societies.
Reflecting on the creative process, Chen Weiming admitted that this was one of his most complex and challenging works to date. Each head sculpture, made of reinforced steel and solid concrete, weighs around three to four hundred pounds, requiring the use of cranes to transport them from the studio to the park for positioning and precise welding onto the excavator’s scoop and under the wheels.
Unlike his previous works that were completed before being transported to the park for installation, this sculpture’s overall composition had to be finalized during installation, including adjusting angles, spacing, relationships, and considering the viewing effects from different angles for the audience. Chen Weiming described the creation process as a composition test without the possibility of making changes later, emphasizing the need to envision the final outcome beforehand due to the difficulty of adjusting the welded heads once in place.
The Tiananmen Square Massacre in 1989 was a turning point in Chen Weiming’s life. Witnessing the violent crackdown by the Chinese government through international media coverage, he was deeply affected by the images of the government using guns and tanks against unarmed, peaceful citizens and students, leading him to shift his artistic focus towards pieces that highlight human rights and freedom.
Over the past thirty years, Chen Weiming has focused on exposing the atrocities of the CCP through sculptures such as the “64 Memorial,” “Tiananmen Square Massacre Relief,” “Goddess of Democracy,” “Hong Kong Liberation Revolution Sculpture,” and “CCP Virus,” using his hands to sculpt historical testimonies.
He stressed the importance of remembering past traumas to prevent history from repeating itself. In a free society, artists should bravely express the truth, viewing it as both a creative drive and a moral responsibility.
The “Garbage of History” sculpture, set to be unveiled in the Free Sculpture Park, is the park’s annual masterpiece. Chen Weiming mentioned that he creates approximately one to two large sculptures each year, some of which are highly complex projects taking over a year to complete, often requiring assistance from volunteer teams. Reflecting on the growth of the volunteer team from just a few members to more than a dozen, he emphasized their dedication to supporting his artistic endeavors.
The park is currently planning the construction of a “Communist Victims Memorial Hall,” expected to begin construction by the end of this year, with an official opening on the next anniversary of the Tiananmen Square Massacre. In order to raise funds for the new hall, Chen Weiming even sold a property, emphasizing the importance of investing money in meaningful endeavors.
Additionally, Chen Weiming once risked his life by traveling to Syria to assist rebel forces and witness the brutalities of war firsthand.
The Free Sculpture Park, founded by Chen Weiming in 2017 and located in the small town of Yermo in the Mojave Desert, has evolved into an outdoor museum centered on human rights and historical memory, attracting hundreds of visitors daily.
“On average, at least six out of ten visitors give us a thumbs up, which is the greatest reward for us! Some even buy us water, showing their respect and gratitude for our dedication,” said Chen Weiming. “Most of the donations placed in the park’s collection box are from locals. We do not receive support from any foundations; it all comes from the dedication of sculptors and volunteers.”
On June 1, 2025, this Free Sculpture Park standing quietly in the desert will once again make its voice heard. The excavator of “Garbage of History” will scoop up memories and rid the park of lies.