In August 2024, the renowned Chinese artist Gao Sheng, who was arrested upon returning to China, has been sentenced to 3 years in prison by the Sanhe City Court in Hebei Province for the so-called “crime of defaming the reputation of heroes and martyrs”.
According to rights activist websites, on the morning of August 25th, Gao Sheng was sentenced to 3 years in prison by the Sanhe City Court in Hebei Province for the crime of “defaming the reputation of heroes and martyrs”, with the sentence lasting until August 25, 2027. This time, Gao Sheng’s elder and younger brothers were allowed to attend the trial, but the US Embassy’s request to observe the trial was rejected.
Gao Sheng, along with his wife and children, was detained upon returning to China for a family visit on August 26, 2024, on suspicion of “defaming the reputation of heroes and martyrs”. He was later arrested and prosecuted. On December 14, 2025, Gao Sheng’s lawyer’s application for bail was rejected. On March 30, 2026, the trial of Gao Sheng’s case was held in secret at the Sanhe City Court, where family members were not allowed to attend, and no verdict was announced that day.
Currently, Gao Sheng’s wife is still under surveillance, with authorities preventing her from leaving China under the pretext of being related to “national security”. Chinese authorities have also instructed Gao Sheng’s wife not to discuss her husband’s detention with the media.
Both Gao Sheng and his wife are Chinese citizens and permanent residents of the United States. Their 7-year-old son is a US citizen but is still unable to return to New York for school.
Born on May 10, 1956, in Jinan City, Shandong Province, Gao Sheng is a well-known sculptor, scholar living in the US, and dissident in China.
The Gao brothers (Gao Sheng, Gao Qiang) began engaging in various art activities such as painting, installations, performances, photography, and writing in 1985. They collaborated on several controversial sculptures of Mao Zedong. After Gao Sheng’s arrest in China in 2024, the authorities seized 118 of his works from his studio.
Chinese authorities accused the Gao brothers’ works of infringing upon the “reputation and honor of heroes and martyrs”, such as the “Miss Mao series” (depicting Mao Zedong with female anatomical features), “Execution of Christ” (a group portrait resembling Mao Zedong’s execution squad aiming at Jesus Christ), and “Kneeling Repentance Mao” (a sculpture of Mao Zedong on his knees with hands placed on his chest, expressing repentance). Gao brothers with a sculpture
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Supporters of Gao Qiang and Gao Sheng have repeatedly stated: Art is not a crime – no one should be punished solely for their creative work or expression of personal views!
After Gao Sheng’s arrest, the writer Ma Jian, who resides in the UK, initiated a global petition campaign calling for Gao Sheng’s immediate release. The petition has garnered support from nearly two hundred writers and artists.
Writer Liao Yiwu, based in Germany, previously urged dissenting artists, writers, and others not to harbor any illusions about returning to China.