Art exhibit chronicles Myanmar resistance

Art exhibit chronicles Myanmar resistance

SOCIAL & LIFESTYLE
Art exhibit chronicles Myanmar resistance
photo courtesy of SEA Junction

"Defiant Art: A Year of Resistance To The Myanmar Coup In Images" brings a series of 13 boards with artworks by artists from Myanmar and beyond to display on the curved wall on the 4th floor of Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, Pathumwan intersection, until Jan 30.

Presented by SEA Junction in collaboration with Art For Freedom (Myanmar), now known as Raise Three Fingers (RTF), and Asia Justice And Rights (Ajar), the creative exhibition is to mark the anniversary of the coup d'etat in Myanmar which began on Feb 1 last year.

Led by Gen Min Aung Hlaing, the coup brought an end to a decade of semi-democratic rule and returned full power to the military, a state of emergency and gross human rights abuses.

The population has been resisting and demanding the restoration of democratic rule. A massive civil disobedience movement has emerged and hundreds of thousands continue to take to the streets in spite of the military's use of lethal force against protesters.

As of Jan 8, 1,447 people are confirmed killed by the junta coup and a total of 8,468 people are currently under detention. In total, 78 people have been sentenced to death, in person and absentia, including two children.

Adapted, enriched and updated from an exhibition and fundraising event held in London last August, the boards form a history in images of the evolving political situation in Myanmar, highlighting the importance of art to raise awareness and chronicle what is happening and encourage resistance.

The artworks are from the archives of Art For Freedom and many that have been circulating on social media, including posters and memes.

Accompanying the exhibition will be a discussion on the role of art in democratic processes in Myanmar and beyond, with four speakers, on Saturday from 4.30-6.30pm. The venue is SEA Junction, 4th floor of the BACC.

There is no admission fee to both events. Visit seajunction.org or call 097-002-4140.

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