EASTON, Pa.—Person after person moved slowly past the paintings, pausing for a long time, mesmerized by the expressions on the faces in the works of art. "Excellent, really moving. The eyes are incredible," said Bob Redmond, an artist from nearby Phillipsburg, as he looked at the painting "My Son" by Dong Xiqiang. In his painting, an elderly woman holds her son's dead body.
On Saturday, March 8, scores of people attended the opening of the Uncompromising Courage Art Exhibition at The Gallery at State Theatre Center for the Arts in Easton. The art exhibition brings vivid attention to the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China.
"Absolutely incredible paintings," said Karl Stirner, the operator of a local sculpture studio. He compared the quality of the paintings to the old masters and added that the subject matter was depicted in an "incredible and wonderful way."
The 15 paintings in the exhibit simultaneously show the brutality practitioners endure, the effects on their loved ones, and the determination and faith of the practitioners.
At least two of the presenting artists had experienced persecution.
Huimin Wang had been arrested multiple times while she lived in China. The longest imprisonment was from the end of December 2000 through most of April 2003. She first endured brutal conditions in a Guangzhou Province forced-labor camp. When her one-year sentence expired, she was not released and sent to a series of brainwashing centers.
Prior to her liberation, she went on a hunger strike for four months, during which she was force-fed and given injections.
In 2005, Wang was arrested again. After a month-long hunger strike, she was released with the help of Falun Gong practitioners living outside China, was able to immigrate to the United States and now lives in New York.
Besides Wang and Chen, who lives in Canada, the other presenting artists are Kathy Gillis of Canada, Yuan Li of Japan, Shaojing Qu of Canada, Daci Shen of New York, Weixing Wang of New York, Dong Xiqiang of New Jersey, and Professor Kunlun Zhang of Canada.
According to local artist and exhibition curator Wei Jane Chir, the style of the paintings are "Neo-Renaissance," since the artists used classical oil painting techniques that were developed by Western masters. Officially welcoming the exhibition was Anthony Marraccini, president of the Arts Council of Easton. After complimenting the artists and their works, he noted that under communism "you have to be one with the state. Think about that when you are looking around."
One of the most enthusiastic onlookers of the exhibit was local actor and production manager Craig Mahlman. "It's fantastic. It's awesome to see," referring to the detailed and subtle portrayals of the subjects. "It touches me," said David Lee, a painter from Whitehall, Pa. "If you look at the faces of the models, they have hope."
Falun Gong is a spiritual practice, including five gentle exercises for the body, based on the principles of truthfulness, compassion and tolerance. Around the world, Falun Gong practitioners are known for their peaceful appeals for justice and for offering all instruction and activities free of charge. Falun Gong texts can be downloaded from the Internet, also for free.
The exhibition will continue through April 6 and will be open 90 minutes prior to each State Theatre performance. More information about the artists and their works can be found at www.falunart.org. The theater schedule is listed on www.statetheatre.org.
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