Myanmar possesses a rich and diverse artistic heritage with a lineage extending over millennia, however, since gaining independence from the UK in January 1948, long periods of military rule brought with it the pressures of censorship and self-censorship for contemporary Burmese art. Alongside this, the accompanying diplomatic isolation from the international community curbed opportunities for Burmese post-war artists to receive international exposure. 

 

Having enjoyed near complete freedom of expression and increasing opportunities to showcase work overseas for nearly a decade, the artistic community found itself again in a tragically familiar position following the 2021 military coup. The violent suppression of the pro-democracy rallies that followed the coup, brought with it increasing curbs to artists’ capacity to express the realities of their society.  Whereas before the coup, artists were able to create overtly political work, and galleries were starting to build global connections. Now, no artist would dare display politically contentious work and Myanmar once again faces isolation from the world stage, and once again limiting the international exposure for Burmese art. 

 

The artwork in this gallery is a testament to the resilience and dynamism of the artistic community in Myanmar today. In the face of escalating ethnic conflict and widespread atrocities committed by the military government,  these pieces represent the quiet opposition of the artistic community; abstract images of burnt villages (Myint Soe), portraits of the victims of political violence (Zaw Zaw), infantilised figures surrounding cacti, a symbol of the resistance (Thyitar) and everyday scenes that look eerily like life in prison (Kaung Kyaw Khine). This is the silent scream of the contemporary art world in Myanmar today.

 

Please enjoy the paintings in this gallery. 

 

Any purchase will help support the artists, galleries, and families of those who have created this work and will contribute towards the ongoing struggle to restore democracy in Myanmar.