(Clearwisdom.net) Australian artist Ms. Zhang Cuiying recently exhibited her paintings in New Zealand after having traveled around the world to expose the persecution and clarify the truth.
On July 29, 2002, guests from different social strata were invited to attend the opening ceremony of Ms. Zhang's painting exhibition at the Aotea Artistic Center, Auckland. The guests included Mr. Kelvin who presided over the art gallery committee of the city administrative committee and who represented the Mayor of Auckland; Ms. Marylyn from "Originality, New Zealand;" Ms. Margaret from Amnesty International and artists and art enthusiasts.
Ms. Zhang introduced to the audience the physical and mental benefits she has obtained from cultivating Falun Gong and the inhumane mistreatment she suffered when she went back to China to appeal for Falun Gong, as well as her experience in painting. She especially thanked the Australian government and people with a sense of justice for their kind help. She also expressed the wish that she could freely visit her over 70-year-old father who is seriously ill in China.
Ms. Margaret from Amnesty International (Auckland Branch) expressed her concern over the Auckland International Airport's taking down Falun Gong's advertisement poster two weeks ago. She emphasized the importance of freedom of speech by quoting Martin Luther King's words: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." She also briefly introduced the brutal facts Amnesty International has filed about China's suppression of Falun Gong.
Ms. Marylyn highly praised Ms. Zhang Cuiying's paintings in her speech, and felt it was an honor to support such a painting exhibition that aimed at enhancing the artistic skills of Chinese traditional painting. City councilor Mr. Kelvin cut the ribbon for the exhibition and welcomed Ms. Zhang Cuiying on behalf of the Mayor, who could not attend because of a meeting. He praised the purity of Ms. Zhang's paintings.
Art fans appreciated Ms. Zhang's paintings very much. They were surprised to learn that the painter herself is a Falun Gong practitioner and had suffered such inhumane persecution from the Jiang regime. They felt lucky to live in a country where they can freely express their opinions.
Three local Chinese newspapers came to cover the event. Chinese Broadcasting Station AM 990 especially invited Ms. Zhang Cuiying to have an on-the-spot interview. A special Cultural and Artistic program from English TV Channel 3 also came to record the event.
On August 1, 2002, Zhang Cuiying's painting exhibition was held in another city -- Hamilton. After that, she would go to Rotorua and the capital city of Wellington to continue her painting exhibitions to clarify the truth.
