• Burmese
Sunday, June 22, 2025
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
26 °c
Yangon
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home Culture Arts

Documenting Contemporary Art in an Era of Cultural Evolution

The Irrawaddy by The Irrawaddy
May 15, 2019
in Arts
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0 0
A A
A screenshot of the Silence is Golden video about 3AM performance art group featuring Ko Latt. / Supplied

A screenshot of the Silence is Golden video about 3AM performance art group featuring Ko Latt. / Supplied

6.9k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

YANGON—Silence is Golden is a research-based video magazine exploring contemporary Myanmar art through the political changes of 2015 to 2019. Curator and artist Aung Myat Htay has boldly switched the role of the artist for this project, putting them in front of the viewer to become the subject. By videoing conversations with 10 of the most outstanding members of Myanmar’s contemporary art scene, he aims to use this fresh avenue of engagement to make better connections between artist and viewers, while critically analyzing where the scene is at.

“It’s still debatable whether contemporary art in Myanmar has really emerged or developed because national culture and art only accept and support traditional ideas with no international practices,” he said.

“Although there has been an emergence of some international exchanges giving artists opportunities to experience other countries, it is still hard for them to develop themselves without support from institutions or local communities.”

RelatedPosts

A mixed-media sculpture by artist Ang Banang, ‘No Way Out’, is shown as part of the ‘08:06:06’ group contemporary art exhibition at Moon Art Gallery.  / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy

Young Myanmar Artists Explore a Range of Themes in Group Show

August 16, 2019
6.2k
Artist Kyaw Moe Khine (aka Bart Was Not Here) discusses his first solo exhibition, 'God Complex', at his art studio on May 16, 2019. / Htet Wai

Young Painter Brings the World of His Imagination to Life in 1st Solo Show

May 17, 2019
6.4k
A girl plays and communicates with Lizzo and Mammo’s star, the beautiful blue macaw named Amanda. / Aung Kyaw Htet / The Irrawaddy

Concept, Context, Contestation—Art That Asks You to Look Inside Yourself

January 23, 2019
9.5k

This is the second volume of Silence is Golden, the first of which was launched in 2013. For Silence is Golden Vol. 2, Aung Myat Htay sat down with nine contemporary artists and one curator to get their take on the scene in Myanmar. Their work takes diverse forms, including painting, installation, ceramics, photographic, paper and performance art. Some of the biggest names in the local art scene—like Maung Di and Htein Lin—have given their voices to the project.

A photographic piece by contemporary artist Kyaw Htoo Bala who features in the Silence is Golden project. / Supplied

“There are many positive changes in the new era of contemporary art—young, internationally graduated artists are seeing what gaps need to be filled with new ideas and how the community needs to be re-shaped,” said Aung Myat Htay.

Notably, the “new era” has seen the emergence of variety—photography, film, graphic art and street art, he said.

The views on contemporary art expressed by the artists in the project vary and they talk of hugely different sources of inspiration and influences in their work.

Ko Latt, a young performance artist from the group 3AM, said his art is often about the generational divide in Myanmar society. The opening up of the country has resulted in a huge shift in the way the society thinks within just one generation.

“They [the older generations] are still not open-minded. Their era had limitations but our age has become very open, open-minded. Many [of us] went out to foreign countries, many outside countries came in,” said Ko Latt.

Artist Min Zaw, who creates collage on canvas, admits that growing up in a closed country under a military regime has had a huge influence on his own art.

“A crumpled paper or cloth will never retain its original state no matter how you undo it…I grew up under the military regimes. Oppression throughout military regimes crumpled our lives. That’s what I feel,” said Min Zaw.

Artist Min Zaw says his collages reflect a society crumbled by the military regime. / Min Zaw / Facebook

Ceramics artist Soe Yu Nwe, who studied art in the United States, also features in the project. Having grown up in Yangon, she said studying art in another culture gave her a new sense of individualism.

“In general, U.S. culture is very individualistic…There is a sense that being different is a good thing. In Myanmar or in Asian cultures, individuals are encouraged more to be part of the group,” she said.

A piece from ceramics artist Soe Yu Nwe’s exhibition “Serpentine.” / Supplied

In an essay written for the project, artist, poet and writer Maung Day points out that artists here have not fully been able to shake off old habits and influences that emerged under an era of oppression.

“Despite the newly found enthusiasm and opportunities to make and show art, the language of art has not evolved much as the dominating narratives are still governed by nationalism, patriotism, political nostalgia and a lack of nuances,” he wrote.

He also criticized the marked lack of minority representation in modern art.

“Curators and artists as a whole, with very few exceptions, have not so far shown interest in working with ethnic art or artists or art that touches on the ethnic issues plaguing the country.”

The installation in artist Htein Lin’s exhibition “Skirting the Issue” which has cause debate online. / Aung Kyaw Htet / The Irrawaddy

Some artists have faced a backlash against their work, especially if it challenges Myanmar’s many deeply-rooted cultural notions. A recent example of this is Htein Lin’s ongoing exhibition “Skirting the Issue”, which has become the center of a massive online debate. The exhibition tests the notion that women’s clothing is dirty and can cause a man to lose his power and might.

In future eras, Aung Myat Htay’s Silence is Golden is likely to be seen as a pivotal project which documents a unique and important segment of art and society during a period of unprecedented societal and cultural change in Myanmar.

A screenshot of the Silence is Golden video in which artist Maung Di discusses his art influences. / Supplied

You may also like these stories:

Rakhine Border Guard Officer Kills Colleague in Spat over Water

Artist Min Zaw Aung Inspires Viewers to Think Outside the Box

Driver Drops Assault Charges Against Ne Win’s Grandsons

Myanmar Artists’ Works Tackling Identity, Displacement on Show in Chiang Mai

 

Your Thoughts …
Tags: Contemporary artSilence is Golden
The Irrawaddy

The Irrawaddy

...

Similar Picks:

A girl plays and communicates with Lizzo and Mammo’s star, the beautiful blue macaw named Amanda. / Aung Kyaw Htet / The Irrawaddy
Arts

Concept, Context, Contestation—Art That Asks You to Look Inside Yourself

by The Irrawaddy
January 23, 2019
9.5k

Art’s power to force us to face past, current and future crises and injustices is on strong display at the...

Read moreDetails
Artist Kyaw Moe Khine (aka Bart Was Not Here) discusses his first solo exhibition, 'God Complex', at his art studio on May 16, 2019. / Htet Wai
Arts

Young Painter Brings the World of His Imagination to Life in 1st Solo Show

by Lwin Mar Htun
May 17, 2019
6.4k

Bart, 23, who made his name as a graffiti artist, has produced seven paintings for his first exclusive exhibition, ‘God...

Read moreDetails
A mixed-media sculpture by artist Ang Banang, ‘No Way Out’, is shown as part of the ‘08:06:06’ group contemporary art exhibition at Moon Art Gallery.  / Myo Min Soe / The Irrawaddy
Arts

Young Myanmar Artists Explore a Range of Themes in Group Show

by Lwin Mar Htun
August 16, 2019
6.2k

‘08:06:06’ exhibition comprises 28 pieces by six of the country’s brightest young talents.

Read moreDetails
Load More
Next Post
Big Bad Wolf Books, the traveling book fair, is held in Yangon for the first time in January. / Myo Min Soe

Big Bad Wolf Book Fair Heads to Mandalay

A temporary IDP camp in Mrauk-U Township. / REC / Facebook

Rakhine CSOs Feel Overlooked in UN Envoy Visit

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

Trade and Traffic from Thai Border Region Dwindle as Checkpoints Multiply

Trade and Traffic from Thai Border Region Dwindle as Checkpoints Multiply

2 days ago
896
The Lady Myanmar’s Generals Can’t Defeat

The Lady Myanmar’s Generals Can’t Defeat

3 days ago
664

Most Read

  • Myanmar Junta Moves to Seize Sagaing Roads

    Myanmar Junta Moves to Seize Sagaing Roads

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Certifying a Chinese Security Invasion; Boosting Ties With Nuclear North Korea; and More

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar Junta Changes Election Law Ahead of Polls

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Residents of Myanmar Ruby Hub Speak Out as TNLA Mining Takes Toll

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Trade and Traffic from Thai Border Region Dwindle as Checkpoints Multiply

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Newsletter

Get The Irrawaddy’s latest news, analyses and opinion pieces on Myanmar in your inbox.

Subscribe here for daily updates.

Contents

  • News
  • Politics
  • War Against the Junta
  • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
  • Conflicts In Numbers
  • Junta Crony
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Asia
  • World
  • Business
  • Economy
  • Election 2020
  • Elections in History
  • Cartoons
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Commentary
  • Guest Column
  • Analysis
  • Letters
  • In Person
  • Interview
  • Profile
  • Dateline
  • Specials
  • Myanmar Diary
  • Women & Gender
  • Places in History
  • On This Day
  • From the Archive
  • Myanmar & COVID-19
  • Intelligence
  • Myanmar-China Watch
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Fashion & Design
  • Videos
  • Photos
  • Photo Essay
  • Donation

About The Irrawaddy

Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom.

  • Copyright
  • Code of Ethics
  • Privacy Policy
  • Team
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Burmese

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Burma
    • Politics
    • World
    • Asia
    • Myanmar’s Crisis & the World
    • Ethnic Issues
    • War Against the Junta
    • Junta Cronies
    • Conflicts In Numbers
    • Junta Watch
    • Fact Check
    • Investigation
    • Myanmar-China Watch
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Stories That Shaped Us
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • War Against the Junta
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • Books
  • Donation

© 2023 Irrawaddy Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.