FULL ✨ Art of Zhen Shan Ren – Mona Vale Exhibition Opening - Event Highlights Video ✨

Hi everyone! Today, I'm taking you along to something truly uplifting, the opening of the Art of Jönssonren exhibition at Mona Vale Creative Space Gallery. It's a sunny afternoon on September 23rd and from 1 to 2pm, the official launch filled the space with warmth and inspiration. This exhibition runs until October 16 and has already travelled to over 200 cities around the world, sharing the beauty of Falun Dafa and the values of truth, compassion and forbearance, while also shining a light on the hidden persecution still happening in China. Through the classical art form of oil painting, the Art of Jönssonren tells the story of millions of people, including Australians, through their personal experiences as artists themselves, as well as many stories collected from around the world that have touched their hearts. Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Hines opened the event with heartfelt words, saying these values can only help us to inspire, to make the world a kinder and more just and more compassionate place. It is an absolute honour to be here to open this extraordinary exhibition for Round 2 of the Art of Jönssonren. I have to say, having seen the larger one and the smaller one, it doesn't really matter in one way how many paintings are out on the wall because the expression and expressiveness of each and every one of the artworks we are, shows the myriad of different aspects of the humanity in which we live. Something that I remember the last time is how much is our living human nature. And I'm absolutely thrilled that we actually have one of the artists here as well and I have to thank you for actually being here because that's a real honour in itself. We actually get to admire your actual work there on the wall. I would like to say that it's been a huge pleasure to declare this exhibition of the Art of Jönssonren officially open. Next, I would like to welcome to the stand our independent member for Waverhurst, State MP, Michael Regan. This amounts to a special bit like music on my heart. But I will note one thing you did say in here and that's the practice of the QR codes and greater accessibility. That's really important because it helps educate, it helps get more people's attention. To our artists, thank you so much for being a part of this. This is my first time seeing this, I've not had a chance to see the one earlier. Thank you Mayor Hines for making this happen and to the councillors and council staff who make this happen is a big deal. I am very humbled to be part of this because Sue Touchstone of the world is in a dark place right now. It is not great and you've got three people, particularly me, talking about the big forever and talking about the way that you did that, that's scary. There's dictators talking about that kind of rubbish. And as a member of Amnesty International for many a decade, this is the kind of stuff you're fighting for and you're supporting those who really might go the extra mile. And art is a great way of storytelling and telling a story and engaging more people. So the quality of the work is, I don't know how you would say, well done. Michael Regan, member of WAKERS, share how powerful art can be to tell stories, confront injustice and bring light to dark places. He pointed out the shocking reality. While some people dream about extending human lifespan, there were some discussion between the three powerful Communist Party leaders from the three countries. Falun Gong practitioners in China are losing their lives through forced organ harvesting. He also praised the QR code voiceover feature, saying it not only helps people with disability engage with the art, but also offers visitors a unique and enriching experience. The exhibition also welcomes several local councillors, including Ruth Robbins from Narambin Ward, Councillor Miranda Corsi from Pittwater Ward, who came to show their support. Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, the Onondaga Association of Australia warmly welcomes you all to the official opening of the Art of Genshanken exhibition at the One Updale Creative Spaces Gallery. I'd like to acknowledge the kind support of the Northern Beaches Council for making this possible. Genshanken, which means truthfulness, compassion, forbearance in English, are the underlying principles of the meditation discipline of Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa. Falun Dafa was first publicly taught in China in 1992 by the founder of the practice, Mr Li Hongzhi. By 1999, between 70 to 100 million people in China were practicing Falun Dafa. One of the most moving moments was Vivian Zhang's speech. She's not just guiding people through the paintings, she lived this reality. Thank you for letting me share my story. To you, these paintings may look very beautiful, pure, peaceful, and bring you some thinking. To me, they show my life. Many years of self-improvement, many years of seclusion, and many years of calling for justice. I have been practicing Falun Dafa since I began practicing Falun Gong in 1998. When I study the teachings and do the exercises, I feel strong energy, peaceful, kind, and warm. Please look at the illumination. The mother is reading the book of Khenpo. That is also me calm and joyful when I read. Please look at the coming for you. In 2000, I practiced Falun Gong in Tiananmen Square. In 2001, my husband made a little band. It said, Falun Dafa is good. He held the band higher even when danger is close. Please look at the calling for justice. After my mother escaped to Sydney, she stood almost every day for four years outside the Chinese consulate holding a sign asking for justice. These paintings are not only art. They are real. They are our lives. One painting shows a palm tree. Please can you stand on it? They took our computers, our printers, our money, and everything. They left a big mess and only food to us. And look at the painting, a tragedy in China. My husband was tied to a bed for many weeks. He was forced dead. My husband said to me, the pain was worse than death. And I was locked in a small cell, no sleep, no toilet, no prison. The suffering is real in China today. Please look at I Want Death and an Orphan's Sorrow. This picture is of my daughter's face when she was six years old. I was taken to my secret place. Later I was sent to prison for two years. When I came home, I believed she could run to me and cry, calling me mom. But instead, she stood still, silent, with tears on her face. It was a hard time for her. Later I escaped to Australia with her. But my husband could not come with us because the Chinese government didn't give him the passport. It had been 11 years. Our daughter was eight years old. When she left her father, now she is a young lady in university. When we arrived in Australia in 2014, we found hope and safety here. We are very grateful. My practice taught me kindness and courage. I wish the same peace for all people. But I must be honest. The same government that hurt us is also reaching quietly into Australia. It pushes its power here. It tries to destroy our values. So I ask you, dear Australian friends, please stay awake. Please stand with us to stop the CCT persecution of Falun Dafa. Please help protect our beautiful Australian and our Australian values. Thank you. For many, the words are beautiful. But for her, they echo her own life. She shared pieces like Lecturing on Dafa, Illumination, Coming for You, and Orphan's Sorrow, and Tragedy in China. After years in prison because of her faith in Falun Gong, Vivian escaped to Australia with her young daughter. Though her husband is still in China because his passport was confiscated, for her, an orphan's sorrow reflects her daughter's pain. Today, she is leading a rescue family campaign to bring her husband to safety. The exhibition touches so many hearts. Some visitors were brought to tears as they connected with both the beauty and the sorrow in these works. Another highlight of the opening day was meeting with renowned Chinese-Australian artist Zhang Qiyin. She unveiled her original piece Chinese Cherubs, a joyful and playful painting of divine beings that instantly lifted the mood. Counsellor Miranda Corsi from Pittwater Ward showed great interest, spending time speaking with the artist and asking thoughtful questions about her work. VIP guests also received gifts from Zhang Qiyin's paintings, a reminder of her generosity and spirit. Zhang Qiyin's story is just as inspiring as her art. Originally trained in Shanghai, she brought her traditional Chinese painting skills to Australia. She bravely spoke out against the persecution of Falun Gong in China and was imprisoned for it. Today, her art is both a celebration of beauty and symbol of resilience. The exhibition is hosted by the Falun Dafa Association of Australia, New South Wales branch, at Mona Vale Creative Space Gallery at 1 Park Street, Mona Vale. It's open daily from 10am to 4pm until October 16th, so there's still time to come and see it for yourself. The artworks take us on a journey, practitioners cultivating peace and resilience, yet also enduring cruelty. The contrast is striking and it's impossible not to feel both admiration and heartbreaking. The art of Zhen Shen Ren is more than an exhibition, it's a journey of courage, kindness and truth. Standing in front of these artworks, you feel both the pain of injustice and the hope that compassion can bring. I left with my heart touched and my spirit lifted, and I hope you will have the chance to experience it too.