In a dramatic unfolding of events in Hong Kong, numerous organisations have rallied in solidarity with Badiucao, a bold artist and political cartoonist who faces escalating harassment. This troubling campaign intensified as Badiucao sought to express his concerns about human rights in Hong Kong through a statement connected to his artwork, illustrated by a short video exhibited locally that champions freedom of expression.
Badiucao appeared prominently in a 3-minute video compilation by Art Innovation during the prestigious Art Basel fair. His 4-second clip, dubbed ‘Here and Now’, depicts him silently mouthing, “you must take part in revolution,” echoing themes from his new graphic novel. The controversial clip aired regularly between March 28 and April 2, igniting political caution around his art.
On April 1, Badiucao informed media outlets about an upcoming statement regarding this artwork. Shortly after, the gallery where his work was displayed warned him against publishing it, cautioning him about potential legal backlash if he expressed anything contrary to the Chinese government’s position. The gallery subsequently denied any political connotation associated with the exhibition, attempting to maintain a neutral facade.
Defiant, Badiucao still published his message, highlighting the dire state of civil liberties in Hong Kong. He asserted, “This art action underscores the absurdity of Hong Kong’s current civil liberties…” Soon after, his artwork was removed from the billboards, despite being set to showcase until April 3.
As tensions escalated, Art Innovation sent another email asserting that they would pursue legal action against Badiucao, citing alleged financial implications from his public statement. They demanded he erase all related social media posts and warned of severe legal repercussions for non-compliance.
On April 3, Art Innovation accused Badiucao of providing misleading information and violating their contract by submitting politically charged content. Badiucao defended himself, stating he purposely used a pseudonym to avoid previous government interference in his exhibitions, with the gallery being fully aware of his identity.
Critics were astonished by the gallery’s response, especially given their proclaimed values of supporting artistic freedom. Multiple organisations vocalised their disbelief, urging Art Innovation to retract their threats and apologise to Badiucao for attempting to stifle a voice of dissent, which stands in stark contrast to their professed ideals.
Artist Badiucao faces harassment in Hong Kong as he speaks out on human rights issues through his artwork. Despite warnings from the gallery about legal actions, Badiucao remains steadfast, publishing a statement that critiques the region’s civil liberties. This situation has raised alarms among various organisations advocating for artistic freedom and challenges against censorship in a repressive regime.
The harassment faced by Badiucao highlights significant issues surrounding artistic freedom in Hong Kong, reflecting a precarious landscape for creativity and expression. Despite facing intimidation, Badiucao’s actions shed light on the absurdities of the city’s human rights situation. Continued support for Badiucao reinforces the call against authoritarianism and censorship, urging organisations to champion the rights of artists to express controversial ideas openly.
Original Source: www.article19.org
