Episode #82: Artists Against Tyranny, Part 2
This is the second episode of interviews with a variety of Myanmar artists that explore art in this time of revolution, and talk more about the art auction presently being held in New York.
Of course, nothing has changed for the people of Myanmar since we aired the first set of artist interviews. Innocent civilians are still being killed, maimed, starved, and forced from their homes, and the military continues their campaign of terror. A significant—and growing—percentage of the population still suffers from food insecurity. More and more Burmese are being displaced and exposed to the elements, and COVID still runs rampant throughout the country. The need for financial support continues undiminished.
The Art Against Tyranny auction has put at least some some dent in this need. Although the actual event has been completed, there is much remaining artwork that did not sell, and please take a look at these options and consider making a purchase to benefit the Burmese people at this time.
On this show, we hear from Thet Su Tin, a US based Myanmar poet and activist. She has fought for the rights of victimized minorities including the LGBTQIA community, marginalized ethnic groups, and innocent inmates on death-row. Since the coup she has worked with USACM to draft and lobby for the Burma Bill in the US congress, and to raise awareness of the ongoing crisis. She has found strength and inspiration through poetry, and shares with us her views on social justice movements in Myanmar and the US, speaks on poetry as a medium to express oneself and cope with difficulty, and performs for us her poem “Haka On Your White Supremacy” which she wrote for the Black Lives Matter movement.
For his own safety, we cannot name the next guest, nor tell you where he lives. He is based somewhere in Sagaing Region and he speaks to us on the day of the Silent Strike where all the people stay indoors between 10am and 4pm in defiance of the military. His work as an amateur journalist, sending images, recordings, and information from the ground to the outside world have been vital in keeping the world informed of the ongoing crisis, and his opinion pieces help to explain and contextualize the barrage of information for those trying to get a handle on the situation. He speaks to us today about the importance of resisting censorship, the needs for brave people to continue sharing information, and the incompatibility between Buddhism and the military.
Using art—a refined pursuit seemingly far removed from the horrors of war, terror, and death—to fight tyranny might feel somewhat dissonant. But art is really the raw essence of human experience, distilled down to directly tap into our emotions, and because conflict is an unfortunate but nearly unavoidable aspect of the human condition, pairing art with revolution is not as dissonant as one might think. Art is self-expression, and the people of Myanmar want to shout their burning desire for freedom, democracy, justice, peace, and an end to the suffering. It is through art that Burmese rappers, painters, poets, graffiti artists, video editors, and others have expressed their opposition to the junta, and emboldened their compatriots to continue their march to ultimate victory. It is through art that the true horror and carnage of the military's reign of terror can be conveyed to people all over the world.
A New York City art gallery graciously donated its space for free to showcase this revolutionary art from Myanmar artists. Some pieces on display are biting, while others are hauntingly beautiful…but all of it is inspiring. More of the talented artists who have so generously contributed pieces to the auction are interviewed about their work, philosophy, and hopes for the future in todays episode.
It is not only artists from Myanmar who have donated works for this auction to raise money to support the Burmese people in their struggle against tyranny: artists from around the world have contributed their pieces both physically and virtually. So please take time to see what is still on display, spread the word, and maybe buy an exquisite work of art for a good cause. The more money raised, the more lives saved, and the sooner the military's campaign of death and destruction will end. And of course, please take some time as well to listen to some more talented artists tell their stories.