Chinese Artist Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Mao Sculptures
After publishing: 1 headline quietly rewritten1 change
- Le Monde (France)seen 25 Aug, 20:07headline rewritten
L’artiste chinois Gao Zhen condamné à trois ans de prison pour des sculptures satyriques représentant MaoL’artiste chinois Gao Zhen condamné à trois ans de prison pour des sculptures satiriques représentant Mao
After the peak, new reports halved every 14 hours so far - this story is still being covered, so the figure moves as reports arrive.
What it is about
Who published it, and when
6 reports left out of the cascade - too little in common with the story to place
How it spread - 16 original reports
Tue, 25 August 2026
9 reports- NYT World05:32first to report
Gao Zhen, part of a brotherly duo famous for satirical artworks, was convicted of slandering one of China’s heroes after a secret one-day trial.
- Le Figaro (France)09:59
Arrêté à Pékin en 2024, le sculpteur de 70 ans a été reconnu coupable d’atteinte à « l’honneur des héros ». Une sanction vraisemblablement appliquée pour des œuvres créées entre 2005 et 2009.
- The Guardian World11:53
Gao Zhen sentenced to three years in prison after already spending two years in detention Gao Zhen, a prominent Chinese artist known for provocative sculptures of the former leader Mao Zedong, has been sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of slandering China’s “heroes and martyrs”. The sentencing came two years after he was detained while visiting the country with his family, according to his wife and human rights groups. The case has attracted international condemnation...
- Le Monde (France)13:00edited after publishing
previously
L’artiste chinois Gao Zhen condamné à trois ans de prison pour des sculptures satyriques représentant MaoLe plasticien, auteur, au côté de son frère Gao Qiang, d’œuvres iconoclastes dans les années 2000, a été jugé coupable d’avoir diffamé la mémoire du héros national, à l’issue d’un procès à huis clos.
- independent.co.uk13:36
Chinese artist Gao Zhen was sentenced to three years in prison on Tuesday for “infringing upon the reputation of heroes”
- Tagesschau (Germany)14:16
Unter Staatschef Xi geht die chinesische Justiz verstärkt gegen kritische Künstler vor. Ein Gericht verurteilte jetzt Gao Zhen zu einer Gefängnisstrafe. Sein Vergehen: Er hatte vor Jahren provokative Statuen von Mao angefertigt. Von B. Eyssel.
- ABC News (Australia)14:25
International rights groups have condemned the US-based artist's arrest, calling for his immediate release from prison.
- Libération (France)17:35
Gao Zhen, l’aîné d’un duo de frères artistes connu pour ses œuvres représentant l’ancien président, avait été arrêté en août 2024 sur fond de répression de la liberté artistique.
- Google News - Top Stories18:33
Artist known for sculptures of Mao Zedong jailed for slandering ‘heroes and martyrs’ The Guardian Chinese artist sentenced to 3 years in prison over satirical Mao statues The Washington Post Chinese Court Sentences Artist Who Lampooned Mao WSJ Chinese artist jailed over satirical works of ex-leader Mao Zedong ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation Chinese Artist Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Mao Sculptures The New York Times
Wed, 26 August 2026
7 reports- asiaone.com02:53
BEIJING — Chinese dissident artist Gao Zhen, known for making satirical sculptures of former leader Mao Zedong, was handed the maximum three-year sentence for "defaming national heroes and martyrs" by a Chinese court on Tuesday (Aug 25), his wife and a rights group said.New York-based Gao, 70, was detained in August 2024 during a visit to China from the US...
- DW Top Stories03:46
Sculptor Gao Zhen was charged under China's "Law on the Protection of Heroes and Martyrs." His supporters have called for his immediate release.
- Google News - Top Stories03:48
China: Dissident artist jailed for satirical Mao sculptures DW.com Chinese Artist Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Mao Sculptures The New York Times US voices 'significant concerns' over Chinese dissident artist Gao Zhen's prison sentence Reuters Artist known for sculptures of Mao Zedong jailed for slandering ‘heroes and martyrs’ The Guardian Chinese artist is sentenced to 3 years in prison over satirical Mao artworks NBC News
- Index.hr (Croatia)04:23
KINESKI umjetnik, poznat po satiričnim skulpturama Mao Ce-tunga, osuđen je na maksimalnu kaznu od tri godine zatvora zbog "klevetanja kineskih heroja", objavile su organizacije za zaštitu ljudskih prava.
- Times of India07:41
Chinese artist Gao Zhen received a three-year prison sentence for his satirical artwork. Authorities charged him with "infringing upon the reputation of heroes" for his art. Gao's wife expressed deep disappointment and sadness over the unexpected conviction. His supporters argue the artworks predate the law under which he was prosecuted. The sentence highlights China's narrowing space for artistic and political expression.
- webindia123.com09:58
- Google News - Top Stories14:04
US voices 'significant concerns' over Chinese dissident artist Gao Zhen's prison sentence Reuters China: Dissident artist jailed for satirical Mao sculptures DW.com Chinese Artist Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Mao Sculptures The New York Times Chinese artist sentenced to 3 years in prison over satirical Mao statues The Washington Post Mocking Mao earns provocateur Chinese artist a jail sentence The Times