Torture and abuse are two examples of society’s most vulgar concepts. Yet the vulgarity continues as Falun Gong practitioners in China are mercilessly abused with some of the most severe forms of torture ever devised.

A traveling art show which includes some artists who have personally been through the ordeal of torture, are displaying their artwork in the atrium of the Thompson Center.

The Uncompromising Courage Art Exhibition focuses on paintings that show how Falun Dafa practitioners uphold the principles of Truth, Compassion, and Forbearance through their suffering.

The opening and the press conference took place on Monday, April 4, from noon to 1:00 P.M. Guests VIP, 4th ward Alderman Toni Preckwinkle and Cook County Comm. Tony Perica oficially opened the exhibit with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Both VIP guests have introduced legistlation in support of the Midwest Falun Dafa’s stance against the human rights violations that are occurring daily in abundant levels in China. To date over 1,659 Falun Dafa practitioners have been tortured to death for practicing a peaceful meditative practice.

Tony Liu, a concerned volunteer who took time from his busy life to put the Uncompromising Courage Art Exhibition together because of the need to get the truth out there, introduced the paintings solemnly by stating that, “The paintings featured in this display simultaneously exhibit scenes of endless pain and strong will.”

He spoke about how in a painting entitled “Homeless”, an oil painting by Daci Shen, “…a little girl comes home to find her home sealed off with padlocks and warning signs by China’s 610 Office, a Gestapo-like organization created by the Chinese Communist Party. Her parents are missing. A red sign on the door reads “Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance.” As the girl stands next to bright sunflowers that remind her of her happy past, tears stream down her face. Even in all of sorrow, she stands in a mature fashion. Her eyes show her unwavering strength as a young practitioner.”

The Deputy Director of The Global Mission to Rescue Persecuted Falun Gong Practitioners said, “Many similar incidents are taking place everyday in China today. As long as the Communist regime in China continues to persecute the Falun Gong practitioners, it is persecuting the practitioners’ children. By taking away the parents from the children, the regime makes the children homeless, helpless and completely unprotected.”

The Global Mission to Rescue Persecuted Falun Gong Practitioners, is an organization that is actively working on the rescue of these persecuted children, to ensure they are removed from the panic, violence, torture and death that although well hidden from the world is something millions of Chinese know personally.

The artwork will be exhibited at the Thompson Center Atrium, located at 100 West Randolph Street in Chicago. The event will last from 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. until 8, 2005.