Tibetan Artist Tashi Norbu Performance Canceled in Macau

For the Macau performance, Norbu had planned to present an on-site painting of a fire rooster, the zodiac symbol shared by China and Tibet. However, the artist was later advised not to proceed with the work as the shape of the rooster resembled that of China, which may have been perceived as inappropriate given the artist’s Tibetan heritage. He was also told not to wear white during his performance as the color symbolizes peace.

This is not an isolated incident. In 2016, the Chinese government was accused of censorship at the Dhaka Art Summit after Ma Mingqiang, the Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh, became outraged at the sight of Last Words (2016) by Tibetan filmmakers Ritu Sarin and Tenzing Sonam, which was comprised of five photographs of letters written by Tibetans who self-immolated in protest of Chinese oppression. Ma demanded the works be removed. In the end, organizers of the Dhaka Art Summit compromised and covered the photographs with white paper.

In 2009, Chinese diplomats ordered Bangladeshi police to shut down the exhibition “Into Exile: Tibet 1949–2009” by prohibiting visitors from entering the gallery. The show was organized by Dhaka's Drik Gallery in collaboration with the Bangladesh chapter of Students for a Free Tibet.

Brittany Dale is an editorial intern at ArtAsiaPacific.

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• Macau
• Tibet