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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
30 July 2012
for Ngawang Norphel
For Ngawang Norphel who passed away in Tsongon, eastern Tibet on July 30th 2012, after more than one month of bearing burning pain, and for Lobsang Lozin whose body was released to the river after his firey protest.
25 July 2012
Vision after seeing a picture of vigil in Delhi
Red petals of fire and blood - transformed into - white and pure ones - protecting - grassland and healing water - and survived people - free - of fear, of violence - a vigil on the top of a sacred mountain
17 July 2012
for Lobsang Lozin and Pema Norbu
For Lobsang Lozin, who set himself on fire in Ngaba, Amdo, Tibet on July 17th 2012, and for Pema Norbu, whose was life was taken by violence in Riwoshe, Kham on July 16th, 2012
7 July 2012
for Tsewang Dorjee
For Tsewang Dorjee who self-immolated in Damshung, Tibet on July 7 2012, and for his old Ama la who was left behind.