These prints were made on the seeds of a species of trumpet flower that is a sacred plant in the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism.
This series is in honor of the people who have died by self-immolation while protesting the Chinese domination of Tibet. Since February 2009, there have been 139 such deaths, the most recent on April 16, 2015. This series includes portraits of the deceased with black squares where there is no photographic portrait available. Many of the protesters have been monks and nuns, some were teenagers. The Chinese government has responded by intensifying the military presence and strengthening the very policies and approaches that are the root cause of the acts, such as aggressive campaigns against loyalty to the Dalai Lama. Created after a recent journey to Tibet, this piece is one of a series in response to the human rights crisis there.
liquid emulsion on metal.