(Clearwisdom.net) Falun Gong practitioners held a "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" art exhibition in the lobby of San Francisco's Federal Building in June. Staff members in the building expressed their gratitude to Falun Gong practitioners for bringing the exhibition to the Federal Building. A painter for the building, deemed the exhibit "very emotional." "It's real, and it's happening. There are so many persecutions,'' he said.

"Lotus Candle," by Falun Gong artist Xiao Ping, represents candlelight vigils the group has held in memory of practitioners it says died from torture in China. Image courtesy of www.falunart.org

According to a July 4 report in the San Francisco Chronicle, the art exhibition, which has toured more than 30 cities across the United States is heading to Chinatown and other Bay Area locations after a one-week run in the lobby of San Francisco's Federal Building.

"One of the paintings shows a woman being crushed between two boards, another a woman being beaten by police as cherubs fly above and a third, by Oakland artist Yao Chongqi, called "Unwavering Spirit," depicts a woman police have poked with a cattle prod who is bleeding from the head as she slogs through snow.

"The exhibit of more than 40 pieces aims to publicize how the Chinese government allegedly has tortured Falun Gong followers. It reaches viewers on a deeper level than demonstrations, leafleting and other forms of protest, organizers say.

"People usually appreciate artwork and are more into it," said exhibit organizer Huy Lu of Daly City. "They really watch it and look at the descriptions. Sometimes when you see the truth, it's not easy to accept, but that's what is going on."

"Lu said he wanted to display the exhibit in the Federal Building because it would reach a large audience of government workers, and the space was free.

"Workers at San Francisco's Federal Building said the exhibit was both disturbing and enlightening. Jose Saucedo, a painter for the building, deemed the exhibit "very emotional."

"It's real, and it's happening. There are so many persecutions,'' he said.

"Exhibit volunteer Ivan Velinov, 33, of San Francisco, said he tried to explain to viewers why the persecution of Falun Gong should matter to Americans."

The report quoted his words, "Everything in stores is made in China. All the factories are moving to China," said Velinov, a Bulgarian immigrant who began practicing Falun Gong about 2 1/2 years ago. "China is influencing our society. But China is the No. 1 violator of human rights."

"Several Chinatown community leaders said they had no objections to the upcoming Falun Gong exhibit.

"I am pro-democracy," said businessman Allen Leung. "We have freedom of expression."

"Feng Wang, 34, a senior manager at a high-tech company, said Falun Gong helped her become less stressed and more healthy, truthful and compassionate."

To see the Falun Gong art exhibit online, go to www.falunart. org. The exhibit will be on display 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 16 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 17 at Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall, 836 Stockton St., San Francisco.