Remembering Yan Zhengxue: Art and Activism Against Suppression

Renowned mainland dissident artist Yan Zhengxue passed away early Tuesday morning in Beijing at the age of 80. Yan, a staunch advocate for vulnerable communities’ rights, faced forced labor, secret detention, and a three-year prison sentence in 2006 for “inciting subversion of state power.” His sculptures, including one of Lin Zhao, executed during the Cultural Revolution, were deemed too sensitive for public display, shrouded in curtains during exhibitions. Despite government suppression, Yan’s art persisted, urging remembrance of China’s tumultuous political history. His passing marks a solemn moment for free expression advocates, echoing the enduring resilience of artists under authoritarian regimes.

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