HK art show cancelled after ‘China threats’

HONG KONG: A highly anticipated art show in Hong Kong by a Chinese political cartoonist was cancelled yesterday due to safety concerns with organisers citing ‘threats made by Chinese authorities relating to the artist’.

Badiucao, who was born in Shanghai but is based in Australia and whose real name and identity are not known, has carved a reputation for his images satirising political suppression by Chinese authorities.

His first solo international exhibition was due to open in Hong Kong today and was billed as a ‘black comedy for Hong Kong, China and the world’, taking in themes of authority and freedom of speech.

“We are sorry to announce that the exhibition ‘Gongle’ by Chinese artist Badiucao has been cancelled out of safety concerns,” said the statement on the news website Hong Kong Free Press, one of the event organisers.

“The decision follows threats made by the Chinese authorities relating to the artist.

“While the organisers value freedom of expression, the safety of our partners remains a major concern,” the statement said.

One organiser told AFP that the threats related directly to the works in the show.

The organiser would not say which Chinese authorities had made the threats or give any further detail.

Badiucao had already pulled out of appearing in person today at the opening, and was going to answer reporters’ questions by video link.

There was also due to be a panel discussion including prodemocracy campaigner Joshua Wong and Russian protest punk band Pussy Riot as part of the launch event.