Badiucao in Sardinia
Chinese dissident artist and political cartoonist Badiucao (Shanghai, 1986), one of the most influential voices in contemporary political art, returns to Italy with a series of events in Sardinia that combine art, literature, and civic engagement. After taking part in the European Forum of Ventotene (September 13–14), promoted by the European Parliament, the artist now arrives on the island with three key events:
- September 30 – Sassari, Municipality and Academy of Fine Arts: screening of the documentary China’s Artful Dissident and public discussion.
- September 19 – Sassari, Collettivo Sabotage: presentation of the graphic novel You Must Take Part in Revolution with co-author Melissa Chan.
- September 24 – October 8 – Cagliari: inauguration of a new exhibition and presentation of the book.
The exhibition: a “New World Order” of authoritarian powers
The new exhibition in Cagliari draws inspiration from a statement made by Xi Jinping to Vladimir Putin – “A change not seen in a century” – shortly before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Its emblematic work, The New World Order, reimagines Maoist propaganda imagery to depict a global axis of authoritarianism: Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong-un, and, unexpectedly, Donald Trump. “They are not seeking coexistence, but substitution,” warns Badiucao, stressing the risk of democracies corroding from within through censorship, judicial attacks, erosion of civil rights, and weakening of civil society.
The book: a plausible dystopia
The graphic novel You Must Take Part in Revolution, written with Emmy-nominated journalist Melissa Chan, imagines a near future where China invades Taiwan and the U.S. must decide whether to intervene. Three young characters journey from Hong Kong protests to the battlefield, confronting moral dilemmas about violence, resistance, and survival. “When we began writing nearly five years ago, during the pandemic, there was already blood in the air. Ukraine and Gaza had yet to erupt, but the signs were there,” explains Badiucao.
The documentary: a dissident’s life under pursuit
The screening of China’s Artful Dissident (September 30, Sassari) traces Badiucao’s forced transition from anonymity to public exposure after threats to his family in China. The film offers a close look at the meticulous methods used by the Chinese Communist Party to hunt down dissidents worldwide. Born in Shanghai in 1986, Badiucao moved to Australia in 2009, where he began his career as a political cartoonist anonymously in 2011, partly through exchanges with Ai Weiwei. His identity was later uncovered by the Chinese authorities, forcing him to reveal himself publicly to protect his family and amplify his message. Since then, his life has been marked by threats, surveillance, online smear campaigns, and diplomatic pressure on institutions that host him.
A global context of surveillance and censorship
Badiucao’s return to Italy coincides with the “Great Firewall Leak”, a massive release of over 500 GB of internal Chinese documents exposing the industrial export of censorship technology to Myanmar, Pakistan, Ethiopia, and Kazakhstan. The revelations confirm what the artist has been warning about for years: China’s digital “Great Wall” is no longer a domestic issue but a global authoritarian model.
Despite harassment, intimidation, fake online identities, and even diplomatic interventions to cancel his exhibitions, Badiucao continues to raise his voice for freedom of expression. Earlier this year, more than 40 international organizations signed a statement of solidarity after his work Here and Now was removed from Hong Kong billboards following legal threats.
Italy as a test case
For Badiucao, Italy is more than just a stage: it is a testing ground. From Brescia to Cagliari and Sassari, his art compels institutions and civil society to confront Beijing’s influence. “Art alone cannot stop censorship, but it can sound the alarm. Then it is up to politics, media, and citizens to decide whether to listen,” says the artist. His Sardinian tour between Sassari and Cagliari is a test for us. Will we be able to hold his gaze without looking away?
