(Clearwisdom.net)
From August 4 to August 31, 2003, practitioners held an exhibition entitled "A Collection of Original Chinese Calligraphy and Paintings in Memory of Qi Baishi's 140th Birthday" in the Hurstville area of Sydney. Ms. Dai and her son, both Dafa practitioners from Sydney, organized the exhibition, displaying nearly 100 precious pieces of art by renowned artists. These works belong to a collection owned by Ms. Dai's family. Thousands of visitors, mainly Chinese, came to enjoy the art. As they were appreciating the best of Chinese traditional culture, they also had an opportunity to learn the facts about the bitter persecution suffered by Qi Bingshu, the granddaughter of Qi Baishi, and the thousands of other innocent fellow countrymen who practice Falun Gong. After learning the truth, many of the Chinese visitors expressed their support for Falun Gong practitioners' lawsuit against Jiang.
More than 60 well-known contemporary artists' original pieces were on display. Some of these artists included Qi Baishi, Wu Changshuo, Zhang Daqian, Xu Beihong, Fu Baoshi, Huang Binhong, Pan Tianshou, Lin Fengmian, Liu Haisu, Wu Guanzhong, Li Keran, Gao Jianfu, Gao Qifeng, Guan Shanyue, Shi Lu, and Liu Kuiling. This is the third such large-scale exhibition of original Chinese art presented by Ms. Dai and her son outside of China. The first was held in Sydney in 1992 and the second in Singapore in 1994.
The event was unprecedented. The exhibition attracted thousands of appreciative visitors, predominantly Chinese. The visitors included well-known painters, collectors, connoisseurs, art lovers, art critics, biography writers, board of directors of large companies, financial experts, entrepreneurs, and other business people. Many of the artists' friends and students, leaders in the Chinese community, and groups also came to visit. Some people came from Melbourne and Canberra.
One woman left a message that represents the feelings that other visitors had, "To see an art exhibition that gathers famous original works is even difficult in China. It is a precious opportunity to see so many contemporary artists' works in Sydney, broadening our horizons. It is truly a rare opportunity that one cannot afford to miss. I sincerely thank the people who organized this exhibition and hope that an appreciation of elegant traditional Chinese culture will be planted in the heart of a younger generation of Chinese."
After his talk with one of the exhibition organizers, one businessman came to understand that Jiang's regime has fabricated lies to frame Falun Gong. He said, "After my talk with you today, I will need to more carefully consider my investment plans in the future."
The introduction to the exhibition displayed facts of the persecution of Qi Baishi's granddaughter. One paragraph from the introduction was published in the newspaper, revealing the facts of the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. It read, "However, a tragic thing happened in Qi's family. Qi Bingshu, nearly 70 years of age, a granddaughter of Qi Baishi, and one of the outstanding artists who have been influenced by the 'Qi School style,' miraculously recovered from many diseases (that had plagued her to the point that she lay immobile in bed) after practicing Falun Gong. In 1999, she was forcibly taken to a mental hospital because she refused to disavow her faith in Falun Gong and in 'Truth-Compassion-Tolerance.' One year later, she was sent to Section 3 of Beijing's Xinan forced labor camp to be tortured further. Her hair turned white and her hands kept shaking as a result of the torture, leaving her unable to paint any more. Her whereabouts are unknown. Her case is currently being investigated by the 'World Organization to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong' that was established on January 20, 2003 in the United States."
"Since 1999, like Ms. Qi Bingshu, thousands of Falun Gong practitioners have been illegally detained in prisons and forced labor camps, and brutally tortured, forcibly brainwashed, forced to live in exile, and even persecuted to death. Jiang, the former Chairman of China, is the main architect of the persecution of Falun Gong and has killed countless people; he has been sued for the crime of genocide in the United States."
An elderly woman, over 80 years of age said, "The granddaughter of Qi Baishi is a national treasure and therefore should have been protected. But instead she has suffered cruel persecution. It pains me. Jiang should be sued for his crime of betraying the nation and harming people!"
Another young woman left a message that read, " I thank the organizers very much for having this exhibition of famous and original paintings, offering me a chance to see so many works of art. Looking at Mr. Qi's paintings, I recalled the news in the newspaper the other day about his granddaughter's detention; even up until today she is being held by the Chinese government. Such bloody and cruel things seem far away from us in this land of freedom, but such persecution happens every day in China where a five thousand year old culture has flourished. Thinking about this, I could not help sighing while I looked upon these paintings representing the best of Chinese culture.
Having been poisoned by the hate propaganda from the Chinese media, which is controlled by Jiang, many leaders in the Chinese community did not want to be associated with Dafa. Through the art exhibition, they genuinely understood the truth of Dafa and Dafa practitioners. One well-known leader, after viewing the art exhibition, recommended it to many other leaders in the Chinese community overseas. These leaders then recommended it to members in their groups.
A group of Chinese students studying at the University of New South Whales took truth clarification materials that were available on the counter as soon as they entered. These students used to take for granted the truth clarifying materials given to them. The art exhibition brought them closer to Dafa practitioners. This exhibition of original work not only gave them an opportunity to learn about the best of five thousand years of Chinese culture, but also let them see the truth about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.
The grand exhibition of famous Chinese painters and their original works greatly aroused people's interest. Now, many people warmly greet Ms. Dai when they see her. They also show their concern for Ms. Qi Bingshu and condemn the crimes committed by Jiang.
Ms. Dai and Mr. Dai decided to extend the exhibition for another week, until September 7, in order to satisfy people's wishes to see more. They've also decided to have similar exhibitions in the near future. In this way, they can make use of the opportunity to clarify the truth to the precious Chinese people more widely and deeply, and to do a better job in saving sentient beings.
