(Clearwisdom.net) On April 3, 2009, the Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance International Art Exhibition came to the Kaohsiung Social Education Exhibition Hall in Taiwan. The show has been presented in more than 40 countries on five continents, displaying over 40 artworks. Many visitors praised the Exhibition's ability to guide people toward higher wisdom and truth, purify their minds and raise their spirits.
Well-recognized painter Chen Jiashang commented, "The artworks shown at the Exhibition are the best I've seen in the past 70 years."
Since the first Exhibition was held in Taipei in February 2005, it has traveled to 23 cities and counties in Taiwan, as well as to Penghu. The Exhibition was displayed at numerous universities: National Taiwan University, National Chengchi University, National Tsing Hua University, National Chiao Tung University, National Central University, Chinese Culture University, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, National Chung Cheng University, National Taiwan Ocean University, National Dong Hwa University, National Hualien University of Education, National Ilan University, and National Sun Yat-sen University.
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January 3, 2008: The Exhibition guide described the artworks in detail to visitors following the opening ceremony at the Cien Art Center in Kaohsiung.
Visitors listened attentively to the guide's descriptions
Displaying the Marvels of Cultivation and Cruelty of the CCP's Persecution
A diverse group of accomplished artists created the pieces on display. The artists' practice of Falun Dafa had gained them physical health and mental well-being, deepened their grasp of the workings of nature, and helped them to discover answers to a lifelong search for the greater meaning of art and life. Their creations poetically suggest the beauty of a life lived in keeping with a higher order, and a life ascending by its accord with Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, while concurrently depicting the grim realities of the cruel persecution that Falun Dafa has faced at the hands of China's Communist regime.
The Exhibition consists of four parts:
Part 1: The Beauty of Self-Cultivation
Part 2: Uncompromising Courage
Part 3: The Call for Justice
Part 4: Justice Prevails
In several of the latter pieces on display, one finds a deep conviction of the workings of a higher moral order, manifesting as the meeting out of divine retribution. But amid the wrenching inhumanity of torture and violence where freedom, dignity, and goodness seem surely eclipsed, we see ordinary people becoming extraordinary. Here, in the darkest of quarters, the power of principled belief shines forth and empowers the meek with a breadth of mind and stamina far greater than the ordeals forced upon them. Truth, compassion, forbearance is here infused in the very marrow of the wounded, making victor of victim. The message is ultimately one of hope and triumph.
(Source: http://www.pureinsight.org/node/3046)
Introduction to the art exhibition as published in the Saipan Tribune, March 10, 2009
Artist's Praise, "No one compares to Falun Gong artists"
Zhang Zhongjin, M.F.A., is a well-known and highly respected painter who teaches at many southern Taiwan universities. He enjoyed the artworks on September 10, 2008, when the Exhibition was held at Pingtung Middle School and commented later, "It is really extraordinary to incorporate spiritual ascent into the creation of artworks."
Zhang also said, "No one compares to Falun Gong artists. They reveal the facts of the persecution and depict the lofty mind of practitioners. This is where Falun Gong deserves full respect."
Tang Zhen, a renowned vocal education professor who just retired from Taipei National University's Music Department, states that every piece delivers the message of the practitioners' compassion and is really touching.
Former Dean of National Taiwan Normal University's Art School Zhang Qinglang appreciates the art
The Exhibition was held in Taitung Art Hall on July 12, 2008. Yang Yuhe, director of the Chinese Choreography Association Taitung Branch, praised the art and left behind praise in the form of calligraphy.
Educators: Exhibition is "the best textbook" for students' education in virtue
Visitors were impressed enough to recommend the Exhibition to their families and friends. Many of them even came a second or third time. Several school principals and teachers were among this group. Besides being wowed by the artists' top-notch skills, the educators agreed that the Exhibition is "the best textbook" for students' education in virtue.
Hong Qingyi is Hualien Normal University's chair of the Department of Special Needs Education and commented at the conclusion of her visit to the Exhibition that art itself has the innate function to educate viewers, and that this Exhibition further enables people to raise their morality.
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Second graders, their teachers and parents from Pingtung County Reai Elementary School listened attentively to the guide
Lee Ming-Jen of National Chiayi University sings praise of Falun Gong to the media
Retired Mingde High School Provost Wei Liangan (right) invited Datong High School Principal Li Qingzong (left) to see the Exhibition and guided the tour himself
Viewers Learn the Facts from the Exhibition
Zhang Shude is an assistant professor at Kaohsiung Medical University who has held many domestic and international art exhibitions. She was impressed with the excellent skills the art demonstrated. She expressed that these artistic creations not only manifest the artists' skills, but are also a great historic record. Ms. Zhang was especially moved by one painting entitled "Immovable" and could not help but shed tears. It reminded her of the injustices she suffered in her life. But the woman Falun Gong practitioner depicted was so calm and immovable when being abused. Ms. Zhang greatly admired that.
A medical student named Chen said that she felt surrounded by a bright and peaceful atmosphere when she walked into the Exhibition hall. The painting "Fulfilling Vows" where deities descend from the sky, and each of them is so compassionate and peaceful, made her feel serene and at peace. She liked the message underlying the painting and felt a vague sensation that she'd had an insight into something. Other paintings also drew Ms. Chen in, such as "Pure Lotus" and "In Harmony," which depict practitioners meditating. She really longed for that serene realm and felt the urge to think deeper about issues related to life.
Ms. Lin is an art school graduate with a major in oil painting. She said that certain viewers focus on a painting's layout color and lines, while others look for a painting's underlying messages. She could not help but imagine what state of mind the painters were in while creating these works. The torture of Falun Gong practitioners reminded her of the crimes committed by the Nazis and said that she would for sure pay more attention to Falun Gong's future.
Exhibition Warmly Welcomed
The Exhibition consisted of Western style oil paintings and traditional Chinese paintings. Various government officials and people in the arts community praised the show and several issued proclamations as to the excellence and quality of the pieces on display.
Taichung Qingxi Art Association Director Guo Yujun pointed at "A Tragedy in China" and said the layout of the painting was classic and demonstrated the painter's excellent skills.
The Exhibition was held in Chiayi Prison between July 17th and 20th, 2007. Many prisoners were deeply touched when seeing Falun Gong practitioners so compassionate and without hatred, even when being tortured. At the end of the Exhibition, the prison head issued a certificate of appreciation to show their gratitude to the members of the Taiwan Falun Dafa Association for disseminating Dafa.
Chiayi Prison Head issued a certificate of appreciation
The February 25, 2005 opening of the Exhibition in Taipei caused quite a sensation. It was initially scheduled to end on March 8, but was extended to the end of March.
"People's Daily" reported on March 16, 2005 that the Exhibition was extended to the end of March.
"Oriental Newspaper" reported on the Exhibition on March 26, 2008
A spokesperson for the Taiwan Falun Dafa Association, the show's hosting organization, commented that the Exhibition displays three complete sets of paintings. At present, the schedule is almost completely booked for the second half of 2009. Taiwan Falun Dafa Association officials hope to be able to hold more exhibitions on college campuses and in rural areas, so that more people could benefit from it.
