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Towards the last two months of my last visit to India in the spring of 2012, I encountered the Tibetan community in exile in India experiencing painful news of their people self-immolating in fire one after another in China-occupied Tibet. My experiences in the past visits in India (drawing a cremation site in Varanasi, documenting fire pits, cremation alters, and contemplating on life and death around fire) synchronized with this particular movement, an extreme way of ‘offering’ their bodies to ‘fire’ for asking freedom and peace.I could not help drawing large and small drawings as emotional response and with a sense of mourning.

After coming back to Vancouver, the self-immolation kept happening and I felt that my personal and professional task is not finished.

I have come back to India to continue to document and draw under the same theme. tomoyoihaya@hotmail.com

14 October 2012

for Taemdin Dorgee

For Taemdin Dorgee, 52 yrs old, who self-immolated in Tsoe region in Kanho, Amdo on October 14th

55th self-immolation in the Land of Snows
Many human beings are killed or die in suffering all over the world
These people sacrifice their bodies for wishing freedom and peace for their people and country
Amount of will and tolerance are beyond my imagination
Standing here with candle light and prayers