In 1976 , the year of Mao Zedong 's death , Wang Guodong retired .
Ge Xiaoguang took his place in 1977 as the author of Mao Zedong 's portrait at Tiananmen Gate , which must be re-painted and re-hung yearly due to the effects of weather and air pollution .
In 1976 , the year of Mao Zedong 's death , Wang Guodong retired and Ge Xiaoguang took his place in 1977 as the author of Mao 's portrait at Tiananmen Gate , which must be re-painted and re-hung yearly due to the effects of weather and air pollution .