URGENT UPDATE: Award-winning dissident artist Badiucao has launched his highly anticipated exhibition, Disagree Where We Must, at the Goldstone Gallery in Collingwood, Australia. This exhibition, which opens today, August 25, features powerful artworks that confront human rights abuses in China and beyond.
Badiucao’s exhibition includes poignant prints that tell the story of his struggles against the Chinese government. Many of these pieces were originally meant for a 2018 exhibition in Hong Kong, which was abruptly canceled after authorities threatened his family. “Three days before the show, the Chinese government found out my identity and took my relatives into the police station,” Badiucao stated, explaining why he had to cancel the display.
The exhibition’s title reflects the Australian Labor government’s strategy towards China: “We will co-operate where we can, disagree where we must, but engage in our national interest.” This context is essential as Badiucao uses his art to advocate for freedom of speech.
A striking piece features activist Joshua Wong, emblematic of the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong. Badiucao explains that the scratches and damage on these artworks are intentional, symbolizing the tumultuous history of censorship and resistance. “These marks help tell the story of how these works were hurriedly removed and hidden,” he said.
In a dedicated room, a video that previously screened on billboards in Hong Kong echoes the struggle for free speech. In a brief clip, Badiucao silently mouths the words “you must take part in revolution.” He explained that the video was swiftly taken down once he claimed authorship.
Among the exhibits is a haunting artwork depicting a student from the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, reaching towards a boxy watch gifted to soldiers involved in the massacre. “This watch symbolizes an atrocity that the Chinese government tried to erase,” Badiucao pointed out, emphasizing its historical significance.
Badiucao’s work also addresses global issues, including the plight of the Uyghur population in Xinjiang, the cultural erasure in Tibet, and the escalating tensions surrounding Taiwan. Furthermore, he critiques the Australian government’s approach to China, arguing it prioritizes economic benefits over fundamental human rights.
The exhibition is not solely focused on China. Badiucao’s pieces also address crises in Gaza, highlighting starvation and violence. “There must be some way that universal compassion can be applied towards innocent civilians who suffer from these conflicts,” he asserted, calling for open dialogue and an end to the demonization of differing viewpoints.
Disagree Where We Must is on display at Goldstone Gallery until August 28. With this exhibition, Badiucao invites viewers to join him in a vital conversation about the state of human rights across the globe, making it a must-see for anyone invested in the fight for freedom.
This exhibition is not just a showcase of art; it is a powerful statement against silence and an urgent call to action.
