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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

22 November 2012

For Lubum Gyal and Tamding Kyab

For Lubum Gyal, 18 yrs old from Dowa town of Rebkong, Amdo and for Tamding Kyab, 23 yrs old nomad from Kluchu region of Kanlho.

A white yak and a white boat will carry you along on a clear river.
We will put offering of rice, tea, butter lamps and send prayers for your safe journey to a next life, full of light.
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