• Burmese
Saturday, December 2, 2023
No Result
View All Result
NEWSLETTER
The Irrawaddy
33 °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
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Features
  • 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
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Letters
  • Junta Watch
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Features
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Books
  • Donation
No Result
View All Result
The Irrawaddy
No Result
View All Result
Home News Burma

Rangoon Artists Show Decades of Woe

by Steve Tickner
November 8, 2012
in Uncategorized
Reading Time: 2 mins read
A A
Rangoon Artists Show Decades of Woe

A gallery visitor with several works from the exhibition. (Photo: Steve Tickner / The Irrawaddy)|A visitor contemplates the serenity of Rangoon’s Inya Lake which is often frequented by students. (Photo: Steve Tickner / The Irrawaddy)|Well known poet Niang Oo

3.7k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

An intriguing exhibition has brought together a total of 75 contributing artists, 20 of whom belong to the renowned Gangaw Village Artist Group, along with many past and contemporary painters.

Based at the University Christian Center on Rangoon’s Pyay Road—opposite the renowned and sometimes controversial Rangoon University—the Gangaw Village Artist Group contains former and current students and teachers in the collective.

RelatedPosts

Myanmar’s Junta Faces an Increase in Resistance Attacks in Yangon, Reports Say

Myanmar’s Junta Faces an Increase in Resistance Attacks in Yangon, Reports Say

December 1, 2023
3.9k
Pro-Junta Party Leader Assassinated in Myanmar

Pro-Junta Party Leader Assassinated in Myanmar

December 1, 2023
3.9k
Clashes, Fires Rage in Loikaw as Resistance Continues Push to Oust Myanmar Junta Forces

Clashes, Fires Rage in Loikaw as Resistance Continues Push to Oust Myanmar Junta Forces

December 1, 2023
1.2k

“Gangaw” is the Burmese term for a distinctive yellow flower, prolific on the university grounds, and long recognized as a potent symbol of this socially significant seat of learning.

Many of the contributing artists are themselves former political prisoners and dissidents, and the theme for this collection encompasses the long-derelict Rangoon University and its turbulent history, which has so deeply been connected to Burma’s struggle towards democracy.

Censorship under the former military government extended deep into Burmese society, with poets, artists and writers all suffering at the hands of the recently axed censorship board.

The exhibition’s subject matter would have been forbidden just one year ago, yet as Burma continues to throw off the shackles of half-a-century of military rule, the emerging contemporary art scene is seizing its new-found freedom with both hands.

Works range across a broad variety of styles, subject matters and techniques. The former Students Union building may have been physically destroyed in 1962, yet its specter remains strong in the psyche of many alumni. Equally, portraiture of student and political leaders, such as Bo Aung Kyaw and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, feature prominently.

Contributing artist Htay Htay Myint, a longtime member of the Gangaw Village collective, tells of the frustration and danger experienced by anyone wishing to openly express themselves in the decades preceding this year’s remarkable easing of social restrictions.

She said the exhibition filled her with both joy and sorrow. “Happiness that Burmese artists can now express themselves openly and freely on a wide range of subjects, and sadness at the many difficulties of the past,” said the artist, who also goes by the name Khin Mya Zin.

Htay Htay Myint tells of life under former Dictator Ne Win, whose name means “sunshine” or “sunrise,” and who would allow paintings of daybreak but banned anything representing a sunset. At the same time, even particular colors were considered subversive.

“Abstract paintings were not allowed to have shades of black, green or red,” she said. “To the government of the time black might represent opposition, green the much-loathed Tatmadaw [Burmese armed forces] and red represented violence or blood.”

Htay Htay Myint also tells a poignant story a female artist friend whose work was confiscated from an exhibition, and when later returned had been ruined with stamps from the censorship board filling every available space. Her friend became so distraught over the soul-destroying damage to her work that she never painted again.

The Exhibition takes place at The University Union Christian Center, on Pyay Road opposite the Justin Convocation Hall, until Friday. Entrance is free.

Your Thoughts …
Tags: Multimedia
Previous Post

Obama Expected in Burma this Month: Official

Next Post

Civil Rights Key for Democracy, Says 88 Gen

Steve Tickner

Steve Tickner

Similar Picks:

Astrologists Tell the Future

Astrologists Tell the Future, Offer Hope in Burma

September 26, 2013
4.3k
A Chronology of the Kachin Conflict

A Chronology of the Kachin Conflict

November 20, 2014
42.2k
Iron Cross

Iron Cross, Burma’s Biggest Band, Rocks Mae Sot

January 14, 2013
4.2k
The Last of the Old Irrawaddy Flotilla

The Last of the Old Irrawaddy Flotilla

March 4, 2013
12.2k
Migrants’ Hopes and Fears in Little Burma

Migrants’ Hopes and Fears in Little Burma

July 16, 2016
10.2k
Ancient Irrawaddy Delta City Believed to be 2

Ancient Irrawaddy Delta City Believed to be 2,300 Years Old

February 22, 2016
11.7k
Load More
Next Post
Civil Rights Key for Democracy

Civil Rights Key for Democracy, Says 88 Gen

Govt Peace Delegation to Visit Thailand

Govt Peace Delegation to Visit Thailand

No Result
View All Result

Recommended

Myanmar’s Junta And Its Military Face Annihilation, Arakan Army Says

1 week ago
18.9k
Illusion of Myanmar Military’s Indispensability Has Been Shattered

Illusion of Myanmar Military’s Indispensability Has Been Shattered

4 days ago
5.3k

Most Read

  • Myanmar’s Civilian Government Takes Control of Seized Funds

    Myanmar’s Civilian Government Takes Control of Seized Funds

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar’s Junta Faces an Increase in Resistance Attacks in Yangon, Reports Say

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Junta Bombardments in Myanmar’s Rakhine State Spark Mass Exodus

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Pro-Junta Party Leader Assassinated in Myanmar

    shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Myanmar IDPs Stranded by Junta Troops in Northern Shan State Face a Long Walk Home

    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

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
    • Obituaries
  • Politics
  • Opinion
    • Commentary
    • Guest Column
    • Analysis
    • Editorial
    • Letters
  • Ethnic Issues
  • Features
  • In Person
    • Interview
    • Profile
  • Business
    • Economy
    • Business Roundup
  • 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.