United Kingdom: A Moving and Thought-provoking Art Exhibition

The Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance International Art Exhibition was held every weekend from May 20 to July 11, 2010, at the Brighton Marina in Brighton, a southern seaside city in the UK. Nearly 3,000 visitors have viewed the art exhibition.

Visitors at the Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Art Exhibit at the Brighton Marina.

Visitors at the exhibition in Brighton.

More than 40 works of art created by Falun Gong practitioner artists were on display. The paintings are a reflection of the artists' understanding and enlightenment resulting from their Falun Dafa cultivation, from they have experienced physical, mental, and spiritual benefits. The exhibit also portrays the artists' personal experiences of the Chinese Communist regime's persecution. Many visitors were impressed by the spiritual strength the works presented and were indignant at the CCP's brutality. In conversations with practitioners, they expressed their amazement at the high calibre of the paintings and their desire to learn more about Falun Gong. Some inquired about where to learn it.

Many visitors left messages in the guest book to express their appreciation and support for Falun Gong and their hope that the persecution will end soon.

George Pearl from East Sussex wrote: "So moving, powerful, I hope everyone gets to see this." Lois Caro wrote: "Very touching, revealing and compassionate. This peaceful loving kind art reflecting the people behind it, is totally mesmerizing."

Tasha Ramparas from Brighton wrote: "Incredibly moving, a brilliant way to raise awareness about the atrocities’ persecution against Falun Gong in China." Rick Nesbitt wrote: "Beyond words, --each painting is a witness statement of abuse which must end." M. Windsor wrote: "I hope that this exhibition will help people realize and react against the oppressive nature of the Chinese government." Another visitor wrote: "Humbled by the dedication and courage to stay in the truth while confronted by violence, control, oppression and human hatred."

Onton from the Netherlands wrote: "In Holland, many people know about the atrocities." A Hungarian visitor, Szabolcs, wrote: "I wish strength and endurance for all Falun Gong followers to stand against communist oppression."

Many Chinese visitors left their messages in Chinese. One of them wrote: "I deeply sympathize." Peng, who lives in London, wrote: "The persecution is cruel, but the paintings are moving. I don't know how to express its beauty." Someone from Beijing wrote: "Falun Gong suffers the greatest hardships on earth but presents the world with the most beautiful art. It's really a beautiful legend full of blood and tears in our times." A Chinese medicine doctor signed his name to express his support for Falun Gong and call for an end to the CCP's persecution of the practice.

Information about the exhibit, its location, and times have been posted on the Brighton city government webpage. It introduces the art exhibit by saying: "The Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance International Art exhibition opens a window into ancient and contemporary China. The artists' realistic oil paintings portray the story of Falun Gong, a traditional Chinese self-improvement practice."

Beginning July 17, 2010, the exhibit will move to its next stop, Newcastle, a city in the northern UK. It will run for a month.