(Minghui.org) The Art of Zhen, Shan, Ren (Truth, Compassion, Tolerance) International Exhibition was held for the fourth time at the Black Diamond Gallery in Adelaide, the capital of South Australia on July 6-20, 2014. It was just one of the activities held by Falun Gong practitioners in South Australia to mark the 15 years of peaceful resistance of the persecution in China.
The paintings displayed the beauty and grace of Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong), and portrayed practitioners' great compassion and tolerance, which is in stark contrast to the Chinese Communist regime's brutality in persecuting the practice and practitioners, and for them remaining steadfast in their faith.
The realistic artworks touched the hearts of people attending the exhibit. Many shed tears while looking at them, and quickly signed a petition to call for an end to the persecution in China.
The Art of Zhen, Shan, Ren (Truth, Compassion, Tolerance) International Exhibition
Russian Artist: Paintings Express Beauty and Are True to Life
Russian artist Anas Yoldava, who once lived in Xinjiang, China
Russian artist Anas Yoldava visited the art exhibition twice in two days and carefully looked at every painting. He said that the artwork expresses a variety of themes: life, caring, freedom, human rights and faith. There are also stories about good people being persecuted, and it also expresses hope.
His favorite painting is “After the Parade.” He said that the lady in the Tang Dynasty costume who just returned from a parade radiates a fairy-like graceful beauty. She is not only beautiful and elegant outwardly, but one can feel her innate, inner kindness. He felt that the soft light radiating from the painting makes viewers feel quite comfortable. The vase beside her with the words “Truth, Compassion, Tolerance” indicates that her beauty comes from her faith. The lotus flowers behind her symbolizes her purity.
Artist: The High Caliber Artwork Highlights the Contrast Between Good and Evil
Artist Trevor and his favorite artwork “Determination Under Persecution”
Artist Trevor, who will soon hold his own art exhibition, happened to walk into the gallery and was immediately drawn to the artworks. He was impressed by the high caliber of the paintings, and the huge amount of work and effort involved in creating such large-size paintings. He said that the use of light and shading highlights the contrast between good and evil. He was also amazed by the artists' calmness and dedication.
His favorite artwork, “Determination Under Persecution,” won the gold prize at the 2011 New Tang Dynasty Chinese International Figure Painting Competition.
Trevor said that although the painting portrays an act of violence, it shows tranquility and peacefulness. It portrays tolerance and an uncompromising spirit; there is no hatred, but instead it brings people positive and compassionate power. He remarked that it attracted him, and made him want to join the effort to stand up for ending these heinous atrocities. He signed the petition to call for an end to the persecution.
The Art Exhibition Conveys Compassion and Touches People's Hearts
Penny, a fine arts teacher, praises the art exhibition
Penny teaches art to children. She and her mother visited the art exhibition last year and said it was the best they had ever visited. This year she returned, and brought two of her friends.
She said, "The art exhibition is really good, and words fail to describe how wonderful it is. Viewing these paintings again touches me deeply."
"Both my mom and I love the piece 'Embroidering Falun,' also called 'Eve of the Parade.'” She continued, “The painting is so real and vivid, and under the soft and gentle lamp light, an elderly woman is sewing a banner (of a large Falun emblem), her expression is so focused and kind. Looking at her, I seem to understand how important it is for her and her insistence on accomplishing it.”
Mrs. Bev Millins walked around the gallery for quite a while, carefully viewing and appreciating each painting. “These paintings touched me, I am deeply moved,” she remarked. “Artists portray a variety of stories in life and the spirit behind it. The art exhibition is amazing to me because even with facing such a severe and unjust persecution, they still insist on not giving up their faith. I also like the courage and hope the exhibition tries to convey, fantastic!”
When she learned that the persecution was still going on, Mrs. Millins said that it's hard to believe that it was ever allowed to occur and continues to this day. She signed the petition to call for an end to the persecution.
Children Become Quiet While Viewing the Paintings
Since the art exhibition coincided with school holidays, many families were vacationing in Port Adelaide. Three African women came to the exhibition with their 10 children, who were active and joyful.
As soon as they entered the gallery, the children became quiet. They viewed the paintings and listened attentively as each painting was explained. Before they left, all the adults and children signed the petition to show their support.
Young Holly sits in front of the painting "Entering the Divine Realm with Purity"
When Holly, an Australian girl, saw the art exhibition, she immediately sat down in front of the painting, “Entering the Divine Realm with Purity.” She peacefully and solemnly imitated the cultivator's gesture in the painting.
Her family was happy to see her sitting that way and took a photo of her. They also collected Falun Dafa introductory materials and expressed a desire to learn the exercises at a practice site.
Unforgettable, Priceless Masterpiece
A Chinese couple who just came to Australia from China came to view the exhibition in the early morning after they saw ads about it in the Epoch Times newspaper. They carefully viewed each painting.
When they saw the painting "Freed by Faith," they said that they knew a Falun Gong practitioner who was a PhD student. He was persecuted and detained, but he eventually escaped, just as the painting portrayed. The handcuffs were still on his wrists. He later had to stay away from home to avoid further persecution.
The couple said that they will treasure the art exhibition in their hearts forever. They bought a copy of Zhuan Falun before they left.
Many visitors expressed their feelings when they signed the visitors' book. Among the notes were such comments as: "The art exhibition is extremely beautiful, I'm deeply touched. Thanks to the artists for using realistic art form to vividly and exquisitely express good and evil in the human world. These priceless artworks will become an unforgettable memory for me."
