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

9 March 2018

For Tsekho Tukchak March 7 2018

For Tsekho Tukchak, who self immolated on March 7th 2018 in Meruma township, Ngaba, Amdo, Tibet.

Tsekho, in his 40s, set himself on fire at around 5 pm in the town.  He died on spot.
According to the report,  he screamed 'Long life, Gyalwa Rinpoche' and 'Freedom for Tibet' while being engulfed in the flame.

His protest came three days ahead of the 59th anniversary of Tibetan Uprising Day (March 10th, 1959) and the 10th anniversary of the 2008 pan-Tibet uprising.  It is said that he carried his protest prior to the date to avoid the tightest security on March 10th.

He is survived by his mother, his wife, and two daughters.

http://www.phayul.com/news/article.aspx?id=40216&article=Tibetan+burns+himself+to+death+in+Ngaba&t=1&c=1

http://blog.livedoor.jp/rftibet/archives/51894557.html