Truth, Tolerance in the Modern World
In "The Pure Lotus" by Zhengping Chen, a woman is depicted as sitting in the meditative posture of Falun Dafa. (Credit: Falun Dafa Art Center)
"Uncompromised Courage" by Kathleen Gillis depicts Chengjun Liu in a representation of his faith shortly before his death. In 2002, was arrested after having been among those involved in an unauthorized television broadcast that exposed human rights violations against Falun Dafa practitioners. Chengjun was imprisoned, during which time he endured tortured, which is the reported cause of his death. (Credit: Falun Dafa Art Center)
UA students worked with a statewide organization to bring a collection of paintings primarily by Chinese artists that explore the depth of human compassion, tolerance and understanding.
This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the start of the Chinese government's crackdown of Falun Dafa practitioners.
To inform the local community about that history, which continues today, and educate people about Falun Dafa, or Falun Gong – a spiritual practice that does not maintain expressed political views – University of Arizona students collaborated to introduce a traveling exhibition.
The Uncompromising Courage Art Exhibition, which is part of an international exhibition featuring the works of mostly Chinese Falun Dafa practitioners, will open at the UA on Oct. 9, with a ceremony to be held at Park Student Union at 9:30 a.m. in the Javelina Room.
The collection includes more than 20 paintings taken from The Art of Truth, Compassion, Tolerance collection and will be on display for four days at the UA: at the Park Student Union on Oct. 9, Oct. 21 and Nov. 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Coati Room; and Nov. 17 at the Student Union Memorial Center's Tucson Room from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
During the showings, Ferng and other practitioners will be giving guided tours of the paintings and answering questions.
Collectively, the paintings have toured more than 40 countries and 200 cities around the world, said Alice Ferng, a UA master's student in the physiological sciences program, and president of the Falun Dafa Club.
While the paintings vary in sizes, many of them are 6 feet by 4 feet, Ferng noted.
She also said the paintings explore universal issues related to the human condition, chiefly promoting cross-cultural understanding.
Ferng and her UA student-run club worked closely with other practitioners and the Arizona Falun Dafa Association to bring the exhibition to Tucson. The group is continuing to organize additional showing of the paintings.
Ferng, who has been practicing Falun Dafa for two years, said the practice has been secret for thousands of years. It was first introduced to the public in China in 1992 and quickly became intensly popular.
The practice is built on the philosophy of self-cultivation, based on principles of truthfulness, compassion and forbearance.
Jiang Zemin, China's former president, outlawed the practice in 1999, about the time when the number of practitioners involved exceeded the number of people involved with the Chinese Communist Party.
"There is nothing we can do to stop the persecution other than to make others aware that Falun Dafa is a good thing," said Ferng, also a Arizona Falun Dafa Association representative.
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- Contact Info
Alice Ferng
Falun Dafa Club
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