Chinese artist hated by Chinese government Big interview with Badiucao

Intolerance to freedom of thoughts and views, xenophobia and censorship exist in any authoritarian government. Such government skillfully manipulate public opinion, artificially turning into pariahs those who do not agree with the "official position". The regime uses a lot of different repression: public harassment, dismissal from work, intimidation of family members, imprisonment. More then 10 years ago the artist from China, under the pseudonym Badiucao had to leave his native city Shanghai, to have freedom and speak out about events in China without censorship. Despite of developed economy, the situation with censorship is still hard in China. For many years, Badiucao has been openly talking about restricting the freedom of the opposition and censoring the Internet, distorting political events and propaganda. His works are forbidden, his exhibitions were tried to cancel by Chinese government, he can’t back to Shanghai because he will be arrested immediately. In this interview with Badiucao, we talked about his exposure of Chinese propaganda and China's role in Russia's war against Ukraine.

— In your Instagram wrote that you are “Chinese artist hated by Chinese government”. Tell us how did it happed?

— Well, I think that Chinese government is authoritarian and illegal, they do not tolerate critics. I am artist and I dedicate most of my works to Chinese problems and its ruling dynasty — it makes me number one target among artists. The ruling dynasty follow to the power of one scheme of government, they do not like changes. That is why on they base they are against of free art and innovations, which are rather difficult to control.

For the last years the Chinese government threatened me some times working through the embassies in Europe. They also asked me to close the exhibitions.

— You have been living in Australia more than 10 years but you were born in Shanghai. Tell us what do you remember from your childhood?

— Shanghai is very civilised city, comparing with another cities of China. There are 20 millions of people who live here it is very developed and westernised city. Huge numbers of skyscrapers and universities here. It is very nice place for living. As long as you don’t run with the politic system.

I remember when i was a school boy that we were brought up like with communism spirit and tell au about the party endlessly. When you are 7 years old it makes you really crazy! In 1997 Deng Xiaoping died, on this day no-one could smile at school it was forbidden. I and my friends did not get the reason why we need to call grandpa this man, as he is a part of your family or relative. When I become adult I understood that it vas a manipulation.

— How did your family relate to your decision to leave the China?

— They absolutely support my decision. I am continue the struggle of my family. My grandma and grandpa were first who felt the repression for the criticising the chinese regime in the 1950s. My father told me about this and did not want me to followed their path. That is why I started my career as anonymous artist but in 2019 my personality become well known and my family in Shanghai had to deal with the police.

— What is about your first art work? How did you invent it?

— In 2011 in Wenzhou there was a collision of two high-speed passenger trains. It became a big problem for the government, because the technology of producing this trans China sold to the Europe and USA. There were many people died, and also a lot injured, but the government made everything to hide the information about the tragedy and minimise negative effect on transport industry.

Nevertheless the news about this tragedy were widely informed in newspapers and internet. On that time I already lived in Australia and felt that I also want to share my opinion. So I created the first political cartoon.

— There is your personal exhibition in Prague now, MADe IN CHINA. Tell us what is the conception and what we can look at?

— This is a collection of my recent works, which I have previously shown in Italy. But I added 6 more works for Prague exhibition about invasion Russia into Ukraine. Being away from China I understood how to show the politic through the humor.

There is also big attention for COVID-19 which was made in China whose government remains responsible for losing control of it. 8 doctors who tried to warn the public of the danger were arrested and punished.

Also there are some works which are devoted to prison torture. Unfortunately it is daily situation in China.

The most relevant theme of exhibition is the war between Russia and Ukraine. I made 6 works which sell also on NFT. The proceeds from its sale go to the needy in Ukraine. There is also a large portrait — a symbiosis of the faces of Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin — which shows that the Chinese ruler is covertly supporting Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Including financial and propaganda support. I am really shame about this action from my country.

— Is it possible to see your personal exhibition in Ukraine after the war?

— I extremely would like to make it!

— I want to thank you for supporting Ukraine. For your NFT-project which called Seeds in the Pockets. And also want to ask you, what you think, how does China refer the war in Ukraine? What side does China lean on? and can Russia count on help from China?

— I consider that we need to separate the Chinese government where Xi Jinping is a leader and Chinese people. Chinese government knew about invasion before it happened. Xi Jinping allowed Putin to talked about friendship between China and Russia while Russia wages a war of conquest. The official media don’t use the word "war" when tell about Ukraine. Besides there is also a financial support exist. So obviously that Xi Jinping support Putin.

— Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began at the end of the 2022 Olympics, which took place in China. And to which you dedicated a whole series of works. Tell us how you came up with this project.

— People used to enjoy Olympic games. But in my opinion it is the same confrontation between countries just without guns and violence. Just like the alternative to the wars.Instead of killing each other they compete who are stronger, faster and higher. This is the spirit of the Olympics in my opinion.

I wanted to combine the political problems of Chinese with games and humor, to show people in what conditions and circumstances are this games in real. I was looking for an approach for a long time, but in the end I was satisfied with the solution I found.

— Despite the censorship, I can still assume that your work can be seen in China. Do you get any feedbacks or comments about your work from people living there?

— To visualise, the censorship looks like rock war. It is heave and looks like inviolable. And the art is like a water drops that pass through the cracks between the stones. There are people who hear and understand my messages. They use VPN, download my works, by the way, I usually add it in a high resolution and share it. It is a good way to tell people what is freedom and what kind of it. People should see the difference.

— Are there many people in China who share your point of view? Don’t they want to leave the country?

— For me it is the hardest question. Because of censorship it can be difficult to understand what public opinion prevails in the country. People have many different opinions about government. I know that many do not agree with the actions of the government and I believe that one day there will be a change in China.

— When can you return to China?

— (laughing) I can return in any time, but I am afraid that as far as I return the only place where I can be is a prison.

I really hope that one day China become more democratic country and I will be able to return and stay safe.

Interview: Sergey Gutakovsky

Editor: Sergey Fomkin

2022