Published on 17/03/2013
A Chinese painter named Liu Yi is showing his respect for self-immolated Tibetans, painting their portraits.
Liu, of 50 years, He started his project last year., and now he has 40 small oil paintings, black and white, in his Beijing studio. He painted them from photographs taken from the internet and received from a Tibetan friend.
Liu is also a follower of Tibetan Buddhism., and says he wants to highlight the people behind the photos. Hopes to draw attention to the issue, while the media on the mainland and many Chinese citizens remain silent.
[Liu Yi, Artist]
"La gran mayoría de los intelectuales chinos tiene intereses creados y no se atreven a hablar. I think it's a disgrace. Painting them is my way of expressing my gratitude towards them. Creo que son verdaderamente grandes".
Radio Free Asia random poll finds mainland Chinese largely sympathize with plight of Tibetans. However, they do not necessarily support self-immolation as a protest against the Chinese regime..
Liu said he also does not support self-immolation, but urges Chinese leaders to listen to the concerns of Tibetans to help solve the crisis.
[Liu Yi, Artist]
"Las dos sesiones se están dando ahora, and I hope that the Chinese government can, really, consider your policies on ethnic groups. First, they should let more people understand it. The media should not be silent about it, as they have done until now. They should let more people understand the truth. So, would make the Chinese people more compassionate towards the Tibetan issue. Todos pueden ser más compasivos".
Liu said he has been pressured by authorities, who told him not to give interviews and questioned his ties to the Tibetans. Liu said he has no plans to stop painting the portraits.
Around 107 Tibetans have set themselves on fire, in protest of Chinese policies in the region. Recently, More than a dozen Tibetans arrested in connection with self-immolations.
Human rights groups have criticized Chinese authorities for criminalizing self-immolations.
