A provocative exhibit by dissident Chinese artist Badiucao opened this past Saturday in the northern Italian city of Brescia, despite pressure from the Chinese embassy in Rome to cancel it, ABC News reports.
The Chinese embassy issued a letter with veiled economic threats, noting Italy’s trade with China, in an attempt to prevent the opening of the artist’s first solo exhibit, which takes aim at China’s controversial policies and human rights record.
Badiucao (a pseudonym) was close to opening a solo exhibit in Hong Kong in 2018, but it was canceled due to political pressure.
The artist has spent years hiding his identity to protect his family, he said.
Inaugurata oggi a #Brescia la mostra di @badiucao #museosantagiulia #lacinaénonévicina @ComuneBs @BresciaMusei @aiweiwei_art pic.twitter.com/3fzxzP8HsW
— Laura Castelletti (@LauCastelletti) November 12, 2021
The works include oil paintings, installations and performance art. One piece reflects a scandal involving tainted baby formula exported by China in 2018, another examines the Tiananmen Square massacre and a third piece explores Hong Kong’s pro-Democracy movement that was eventually stamped out by the Chinese government.
Chinese officials tried to shut down an exhibition in Italy by Badiucao, a Chinese artist likened to Banksy.
While direct requests to cancel shows are relatively rare, China’s censorship apparatus is increasingly being felt internationally. https://t.co/018p19NkwO
— The New York Times (@nytimes) November 12, 2021
The exhibit runs until Feb. 13 at Brescia’s Museum of Santa Giulia.
