The art of Zhen Shan Ren

The Art of Zhen, Shan, Ren (Truth, Compassion, Tolerance) International Exhibition is an extraordinarily moving, intimate and inspiring exhibition detailing both an inner spiritual life and an outer human rights tragedy. Realistic oil paintings and Chinese watercolours from mostly Chinese artists give a unique insight into the spiritual discipline Falun Gong, also called Falun Dafa.

Falun Gong, a form of meditative exercise originating in China, is based on the principles of Truth, Compassion and Tolerance. Part of the exhibition is dedicated to showing how the practice of Falun Gong has changed people’s lives, providing them with a return to traditional Chinese values.

On July 20th 1999 Falun Gong was banned in China, and since that date 11 years ago many thousands of practitioners have been tortured in an effort to “transform” them. Part of the exhibition deals with the terrifying ordeals people – including the artists themselves – have gone through.

Professor Zhang Kunlun, founder of the exhibition and former Director of the Institute of Sculpture at the Institute of Art in Shandong, himself a practitioner of Falun Gong, said:

“Our art comes from a pure heart and our work reflects our personal experience. Art is able to greatly influence the way people think and it also directly connects with human morality. And the two interact.”

Dr Zhang was detained for three months in a labour camp in China. In 2004, he started to work with other artists who practise Falun Gong to create this exhibition. United by their experiences, the artists use their art to tell their stories, speak out and call for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong in China.

The paintings show the steadfast spirit of those who remain compassionate and tolerant under such harsh persecution. The story portrayed is one of beauty, courage, and justice. And the message is one of hope and triumph.

Since 2004, the exhibition has toured over 200 cities in 40 countries in Europe, the Americas, Asia and Australia. In that time, the exhibition has received numerous proclamations and letters of support from various government offices and other organisations.

The first exhibition in Europe was in Geneva in March 2005 and by December 2009 some 147 exhibitions took place in 25 European countries.

The artists featured are: Xiaoping Chen, Dr Xiqiang Dong, Tingyin Shi, Zhengping Chen, Kathleen Gillis, Yuan Li, Daci Shen, Ruizhen Gu and Dr Kunlun Zhang.

The exhibition is presented by a registered charity, Zhen Shan Ren Art (UK) in conjunction with the Falun Dafa Association (UK). .