(Minghui.org) The Art of Zhen-Shan-Ren International Exhibition was held in the Rayburn Building of the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. from November 12 to 15, 2024. Multiple members of Congress, over one hundred staffers, former White House officials, reporters in Congress, local officials from multiple U.S. states and European countries, representatives of international organizations, and visitors to Congress viewed the paintings. These paintings introduce Falun Gong and expose the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution.
The Art of Zhen-Shan-Ren International Exhibition was held in the Rayburn Building of the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. from November 12 to 15, 2024.
Congressional staffers view the paintings.
The Artwork Conveys Clear Message
Representative Don Bacon from Nebraska viewed the artworks on November 13 and was interviewed.
Representative Chuck Fleischmann (right) from Tennessee viewed the paintings on November 13.
Former Representative Jim Slattery viewed the paintings.
Representative Don Bacon from Nebraska said, “The artwork is beautiful, just absolutely gorgeous. Every piece very classical art.”
Congressman Bacon viewed each painting and said, “What China’s doing to Falun Gong, which is terrible. But they’re also doing this to many other people. Every time we see a Chinese leader, we should point out what they’re doing is wrong. They want to say it’s their own domestic concern. No, it’s a human rights issue.
“The world needs to have moral clarity about the immorality of China,” he said. Communist China is an atheistic country. They are persecuting a lot of different people of faith. Americans should stand up to that [the CCP’s atrocities].
He said this Congress passed the Falun Gong Protection Act. The next Congress will put a spotlight on the CCP. “They want to pretend there’s nothing wrong. Our job is to keep putting a spotlight on it, and it’s important.”
After viewing the exhibition, Congressman Chuck Fleischmann from Tennessee said that he liked these paintings, which are beautiful and convey clear messages. Congressman Fleischmann expressed sadness over the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.
Former Congressman Jim Slattery from San Francisco passed by the exhibition and viewed the paintings. He said the art exhibition was great.
The Exhibition Raises Awareness
Igor Stojanovic, vice president of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, viewed the paintings on November 13.
Igor Stojanovic, vice president of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who was visiting the United States, saw the art exhibition for the first time in Congress on November 13. He said that he did not know much about Falun Gong before, but learned more details during the exhibition. He said, “This art exhibition is very important because of the respect of human rights. If we don’t fight for the belief of every man on the earth, then civilization is very questionable.”
He said that the exhibition resonated strongly with him. “These kinds of events are very important to promote human rights, to promote human freedom, and to have a vision of what’s really happening around the world, where the people are basically killed just because of their beliefs.”
Mr. Stojanovic said that we must discuss these issues, pay attention to these people, and awaken people's conscience.
Emir Kremic
Emir Kremic, who was traveling with Mr. Stojanovic, said after viewing the exhibition that it showed people’s pain and sorrow, but also brought everyone together to strive for a better future.
Mr. Kremic said that seeing the paintings of Falun Gong practitioners meditating resonated with him. “We, as a world, step down, step back, and meditate, and look for a better future.”
Feeling the Power of Peace from the Exhibition
Executive Director David Bottorff of the Association of Indiana Counties viewed the paintings on November 13.
Executive Director David Bottorff of the Association of Indiana Counties viewed the paintings after visiting members of Congress. He said, “They’re beautiful artwork. Obviously telling a horrific story in most of them. But you’re in a very peaceful room here. That’s kind of tranquil itself, staying down here and out from the noise there.”
He said he heard about Falun Gong for the first time from the paintings, “Obviously we need it [Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance] everywhere, especially in today’s society, where people seem to be so confrontational sometimes. And this is relaxing, and peaceful meditation and exercise. So great compassion.
“I didn’t know anything about it until we just talked,” he said. “So I’d have to go back and find information about it in Indiana, and see if I can learn more about our local chapter.”
Steven Williams, President of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, took a photo in front of one of his favorite paintings. He said the painting showed China’s future, its beauty and elegance, and was a very meaningful painting.
The Faith Transcends All Suffering
Director Banyon Vassar of Information Technology for the Committee on Education & the Workforce in Congress viewed the paintings.
Director Banyon Vassar of Information Technology for the Committee on Education & the Workforce in Congress was touched after viewing the paintings. “It’s beautiful, and it’s striking.”
Mr. Vassar said that he was deeply inspired by these paintings, and said that they showed the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. He said, “[Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance] are global, belonging to humanity. If everyone can exude those types of characteristics, we would all, around the world, see a lot of progress and a lot of coalition.”
He pointed at a painting as an example, saying when a female Falun Gong practitioner was raided and arrested by the police, she was very calm, just looking at her child. He said that the calmness shown by the woman in the painting formed a sharp contrast with the violence of the police. He remarked that Falun Gong practitioners believe in the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, and this belief allows them to transcend all pain and sorrow.
U.S. Congressional Staffer Kaden Eskn views the painting.
Kaden Eskn, who works in a congressman’s office, stood in front of the two paintings for a long time. He said he was deeply moved to see the children being detained and persecuted with their mothers, and that such young children were persecuted to death with their mothers, and that so many children were affected by this persecution.
Mr. Eskn said, “No one should be affected by this [persecution] at all. But the fact that children are also affected by the CCP, it is just disgusting. Whenever children are involved, it’s heartbreaking. Something needs to be done.” He hopes to see the situation of Falun Gong practitioners being persecuted changes as soon as possible.
After viewing the exhibition, Steve, an assistant to a California congressman, said the exhibition was very touching. He was particularly impressed by one painting: A little girl braved the rain on the streets of Manhattan, New York to tell people the truth - [Falun Gong practitioners] were killed because of their beliefs.
After viewing the exhibition, two staff members of the Congressional Select Committee on China said that they did not expect the persecution to be so severe.
Justice Will Prevail
John Robert Hathaway Jr., Indiana’s 2024 Emergency Medical Technician of the Year, viewed the paintings in Congress on November 13.
John Robert Hathaway Jr. won the Star of Life Award. He viewed the paintings after visiting a congressman, and said that a picture is indeed worth a thousand words. Mr. Hathaway said he felt hope from the exhibition as faith is indestructible, especially the positive and kind faith that justice will eventually triumph over evil.
Myrtle Alexander, former candidate for U.S. Congress from Washington, D.C., views the paintings.
Myrtle Alexander, former candidate for D.C. delegate to the House of Representatives, passes by the exhibition before meeting with colleagues in Congress.
Ms. Alexander said, “I saw spots of red, the blood. And I saw pain in the pictures. As you walk around, and you look, and you see. My goodness, could this come here? Could this be us? Could that be me? Could that be one of my family members? Could that be one of my friends? Is that someone I knew that has gone through this?”
She said the paintings convey a deep meaning. “A picture tells a thousand words. When you look at the whole movement of Falun Gong, and the peacefulness of it, and the fact that you try to quench the spirit of people, you can harm the body but you can’t kill the soul. You can’t. And so no matter what happens, it will continue, and those lives that were lost, are in heaven.
“So being here and bringing awareness, and especially right here in our nation’s capital, where answers can be provided, where remedy and solutions can even be provided. That’s powerful.”
People view the paintings during the exhibition in Congress from November 12 to 15.
Nancy, who worked in the White House during the Bush administration, went to see the exhibition and read the description of each painting. After viewing the paintings, she wrote the three words “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance” in her notebook. She said, “This is exactly what everyone needs. This is a good solution to all kinds of problems.”
Matthew Hagerty, a public school teacher in Pennsylvania, took his students to see the exhibition while attending a meeting in Washington. Hagerty said that many of the students were visiting Congress for the first time. This was a very touching exhibition and the paintings left a deep impression on them.
Hagerty thanked the Falun Gong practitioners at the site for telling people about the persecution that’s still happening to teachers and students in China.
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Category: Art & Photo Exhibits
