LONDON—The Art of Zhen, Shan, Ren (Truth, Compassion, Tolerance) International Exhibition has astonished artists, curators, venue owners, collectors, civic dignitaries, and visitors with its immaculate rendition of universal principles and everyday experiences seen through the eyes of nearly twenty artists.
The unique exhibition by predominantly Chinese painters opened in the Grand Gallery at Il Bottaccio in London’s fashionable Belgravia on Aug. 6.
This is the first time this glittering venue has hosted such a multi-themed exhibition of traditional art. Overlooking Buckingham Palace Gardens, Il Bottaccio is normally the first call for high-end merchandising photo-shoots as well as The London Fashion Week and receptions and events for clients such as the BBC and Deutsche Bank.
Il Bottaccio’s Grand Gallery’s high ceilings, magnificent mirrors, tall and wide windows, and candelabra enhance the lightness and opulence that seems to stream from the artworks.
“It is a brilliant exhibition,” said Justina Mutale who is UN Africa Goodwill Ambassador, spokesperson for the International Women’s Think Tank, and former African Woman of the Year. “I am totally humbled to have been invited to open such a prestigious international exhibition which has toured over 50 countries and 800 cities round the world,” she said.
The exhibition showed her “the desire to connect to the wider universe or perhaps to connect with God … the power of faith, the power of self-belief as well.” She said that it was very touching.
All around the world people have been moved in a similar way. The exhibition’s curators choose from a core of over sixty original pieces in seven themes including ‘The Joy of Cultivation’ and ‘Salvation Buddha’s Infinite Grace’. Each exhibition is tailored to fit the specific architectural and demographic needs of each venue it is shown in.
Joseph D'Anna, owner of Il Bottaccio, in his welcoming remarks to the well-attended private opening, said the venue was honoured to hold such a beautiful exhibition.
“It is quite rare to have art which is so beautiful and meaningful,” he said. “The philosophy which the beautiful work you can see here represents is something very, very important … it revolves around something very simple and powerful: three words: truth, compassion, and tolerance. Three words with which, if we all would apply in our lives and our society, we would all be living a beautiful life.”
He alluded to the adversity faced in China by the people who live by these three words. Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a gentle meditative practice espoused by the creators of this exhibition. Yet millions of the estimated 100 million of the adherents in China lose their jobs, are harassed daily, are forced into slavery, tortured, or killed for their organs in a widespread scheme carried out by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), its army, police, and specialized cadres.
Mr D'Anna spoke of how aggressive adversaries often create an environment that thwarts their own aims.
This has certainly been true with Falun Gong and the Art of Zhen Shan Ren (Truth, Compassion, Tolerance) International Exhibition. Knowing the CCP would destroy the original paintings and sculpture if they had easy access through public exhibitions, the organisers of the tour have made high-quality reproductions that are as near to the originals as possible, including portions of the works being repainted and signed by the artists.
This means the exhibition can be shown in multiple venues at the same time.
Other versions of the exhibition were being hosted concurrently in Rijeka, Croatia; Fremont, Calif. in the U.S.; and Drobeta-Turnu Severin in Romania. Some of the global schedule can be viewed here
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