A representative for the Mayor is opening "The Art of Truth, Compassion, Tolerance" fine art exhibition in Dundee, Scotland. It's part of its UK tour.

The collection renders, in meticulous detail, the source of strength people gain from conviction in their spiritual belief in Falun Gong.

[Edward Aitken, Exhibition Co-Director]:
"There are several themes that run through the art exhibition. Those several themes tell us about the deeper beliefs of Falun Gong, the joy that people have found within this practice and also the persecution they suffer in China."

The beliefs are based on principles of truth, compassion and tolerance.

[Edward Aitken, Exhibition Co-Director]:
"People have found an inner strength because of this practice. And unfortunately that inner strength has been seen to be a means of their own freedom which goes against the Chinese Communist Party's aspect of control by fear they try to exert over people."

It is a strength the Chinese regime has underestimated in its 11-year long brutal persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.

The local Mayor's representative, Rod Wallace, talks about the importance of this exhibition.

[Bailey Rod Wallace, Lord Provost's Representative]:   
"I think through the publicity recently through television and other forms of media the ongoing persecutions and imprisonment that is going on in China today, we cannot fathom what they are having to suffer. We enjoy so much freedom and facilities in our own country, that through the storyboard that I've just been through it is a real sin that this is allowed to happen.

President of the Dundee Arts Society, Joy Scott, feels that the paintings give a sense of hope.

[Joy Scott, President, Dundee Art Society]:
"It's got all the sad bits but it has got all the bright hopeful bits as well in the pictures. The artists have combined both things together. You can look at the bottom of the picture, dark and it's gloomy and it's full of the sad things that happen but at the top it full of hope for the future. I think it is amazing. I walked in and just went 'Oh! It's just stunning!'"

"The Art of Truth, Compassion, Tolerance" exhibition has been touring 200 cities in 40 countries. It moves on to Aberdeen Arts Centre from September 4th to the of 18th.

Stefan Byfield, NTD News, Dundee, Scotland.