info

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

26 November 2012

For Wangyal, Gompo Tsering, and Konchok Tsering

November 26th, 2012
For 3 young souls who gave their lives in protest

Wangyal, around 20 yrs old from Sertha Region, Amdo
Gompo Tsering, 24 yrs old, Luchu region of Kanlho, Amdo
Konchok Tsering, 18 yrs old, Amchok region of Labrang, Amdo

Wangyal ran to the golden horse stature in the middle of Sertha town and fell on the ground
Labels: , ,