BRISBANE—In the Western world, painting is recognised as one of the fine arts, with its aesthetic emphasis on realism, perspective, light and human anatomy, as epitomised by the achievements of Renaissance artists such as Da Vinci and Michelangelo. During this renowned period of history, sculpture was also celebrated as one of the fine arts, along with literature, theatre, opera and classical music. In contrast, traditional Chinese painting exemplifies other forms of fine art that are founded on Eastern values. In this style, the focus is not placed upon surface appearances; rather, it alludes to inner meanings, or the spirit of the subject, in keeping with cultural ideals.
Regardless of its form or cultural origins, true fine art is based on purity and tradition, portraying a strong message from creator to observer, with the power to inspire and inform. With the guiding principles of Truth, Compassion and Tolerance at heart, a growing number of professional artists, who also practise Falun Gong, have been moved to portray their profound experiences of the discipline through their work. Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa) is a cultivation system of body and mind based on a set of exercises and on living by the universal principles of Truth, Compassion and Tolerance.
Beginning in 2003, The Art of Truth, Compassion, Tolerance art exhibition was conceived by Canadian sculptor and painter Professor Zhang Kunlun as a result of his suffering in China as a prisoner of conscience. Professor Zhang was tortured physically and mentally in a Chinese labour camp due to his unshakable faith in the practice of Falun Gong, which he continued to live by after his release, thus restoring his body and soul to health. Professor Zhang has a great deal of wisdom to share about art. “Artworks have a very big influence on humankind, on people.” He sees art as the mirror of a society, while morality is the compass by which it takes direction. “Human morality can also influence art creation,” he said.
To date, the exhibition has visited over 200 cities in 40 countries and continues its expansive tour of the world. The artworks can be broadly divided into seven themes based on the three universal principles of Falun Dafa, the persecution of practitioners by China’s communist regime and practitioners’ courageous non-violent resistance. These superb examples of fine art serve to inspire viewers of the beauty of Falun Dafa and its potential to perfect artistry, whilst also enlightening the general public to the brutal persecution of great numbers of truly good people at the hands of the Chinese communist regime.
The exhibition will appeal to anyone interested in the relationship between art and the social-political world, in suffering and the human condition, in universal and spiritual themes, and the unmistakable difference between right and wrong. With its depiction of events unfolding in China and indeed worldwide, the exhibit is, above all, timely and relevant. It is hoped this exhibition will help to bring an end to the tragic atrocities still taking place to this very day.
Currently the exhibition is touring Queensland. Visit www.falunart.org to preview the art or for more information, please contact James on 0448 998 809 or Emma-Kate on 0420 304 880.
Next exhibition:
10am-6pm on May 7-12 at The Arts Factory, 84 Merivale Street, South Brisbane – Free entry
Hosted by the Falun Dafa Association of Queensland Inc.
