To celebrate the Chinese Spring Festival, the “2004 Chinese New Year Exhibition
of Original Painting and Calligraphy by 19th and 20th
Century Chinese Masters” opened in Sydney with a grand opening ceremony on January
13, 2004. The exhibition will be held from January 14 to February 7. The exhibition
will display about 60 works from renowned artists such as Qi Baishi, Zhang Daqian,
Xu Beihong, Fu Baoshi, Pan Tianshou, Huang Binhong, Guan Shanyue, Lu Yanshao
as well as some Qing emperors, ministers and warlords.
The exhibition is hosted by the Australian-Chinese Cultural and Art
Association. Mr. Dongni Dai, the chairman of the association who is also a Falun
Gong practitioner, gave a speech at the ceremony. He introduced the history of
these authentic works collected by his family. Through this exhibition, he also
hoped to introduce the essence of Chinese traditional culture to Australians,
especially Chinese Australians. Meanwhile, he also took the opportunity to call
on the Australian government and people from all walks of life to pay closer
attention to Jiang regime’s persecution against Falun Gong. He pointed out that
there are still many innocent Falun Gong practitioners being held and tortured
in prisons and labor camps while people are celebrating Chinese Spring Festival.
Among them, Qi Binshu, granddaughter of the renowned painter, Qi Baishi, is
still being held against her will in a mental hospital in Beijing for her belief
in Falun Gong. She is more than 70 years old, yet she is still subject to
inhuman mental torture. She cannot paint any more because of the persecution.
Mr. Dai said, “Qi Binshu is also a painter. We call on all kind-hearted
people to pay closer attention to her case and rescue her, the granddaughter of
one of China’s greatest painters.”
Several federal and state officials and MPs cut the ribbon at the opening
ceremony and gave speeches. Australia Prime Minister Mr. John Howard, Premier
of New South Wales (NSW) Mr. Bob Carr, NSW Opposition Leader John Brogden, and
more than 20 ministers and representatives sent congratulatory letters, wishing
the exhibition great success.
The Hon. Ross Cameron, MP, read a message from Prime Minister Howard, the
Prime Minister wrote: “…this exhibition is an excellent opportunity to
showcase the beauty and richness of traditional Chinese art and culture. I am
sure many Australians will welcome the opportunity to see these significant
works and will leave with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the
contribution of Chinese culture and the Chinese community to Australian
society…” The Hon Ross Cameron, MP, is Parliamentary Secretary to the
Treasurer and honorary chairman of Australian-Chinese Cultural and Art
Association. Leaders of some cultural groups and representatives from Chinese
groups and some famous figures in Chinese circles also attended the ceremony.
Dr. Arthur Chesterfield-Evans, Member of the Legislative Council, also
indicated that he would try his best to help rescue Falun Gong practitioners
persecuted in China. He is a member of NSW Upper House and Leader of Australian
Democrats NSW Division.
Mr. Jon Soemarjono, chairman of NSW Indonesian Association, said that he just
realized that Falun Gong is very good and peaceful after hearing Falun Gong
practitioner Mr. Guo’s introduction of Falun Gong. Because Falun Gong is a very
good practice that teaches people to follow the principles of
“Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance,” as the Indonesian community leader he
would not only learn more about Falun Gong, but also encourage more Indonesian
Australians to come to learn about Falun Gong …
The recipient of the Outstanding Australian Award, Ruth Chong, said that
persecuting art master Qi Baishi’s granddaughter Qi Binshu is one of the worst
things committed by Jiang’s regime, and it is a crime against China and all
Chinese people. She went on to say that the move that Falun Gong practitioners
made to sue Jiang is a right thing.
Ms Hongxin Chen is a PhD student of University of New South Wales. She said:
“Five years have passed since Mainland China banned Falun Gong in July, 1999.
This is a crime against all Chinese people, as well as the world’s people,
committed by Jiang’s regime. I didn’t know that Qi Baishi’s granddaughter was
also being persecuted for her belief in Falun Gong. After I read the preface of
this exhibition, I have learned of her plight. I am outraged by the fact that
anyone in China would be persecuted, imprisoned or maltreated for practicing
Falun Gong. I am saddened by this and hope that this kind of thing won’t happen
again in China. In my view, Falun Gong is an extraordinary group. I admire them.
I feel that they have demonstrated the good side of human nature. They are
pursuing the meaning of life, and they dare to safeguard the dignity of human
life with their own lives. From this aspect, their endurance and courage are
rarely seen in China’s history of five thousand years. From the aspect of world
culture heritage, this essential character inherited by them also deserves our
respect.”
All the Sydney Chinese Media reported the news of the Exhibition Opening
Ceremony.
Appendix:
Prime Minister Howard’s Message to the Exhibition:
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Posting date: 24/Jan/2004
Original article date: 18/Jan/2004
Category: Australian News
