Introduction
- Visiting
Myanmar (Burma) was an experience of going back through time. Out of favor
with western powers (due to the country's non democratic military dictatorship), Myanmar
has been economically isolated since 1988, causing great hardships to its people.
Emblematic to this sense of detachment, the country's name change back to its pre
colonial name of Myanmar, has gone largely unnoticed in the west. Inspite of the
frantic pace of modernization going on with many of it's Southeast Asian neighbors, for
better or worse, Myanmar's economy is still largely based upon natural resources and
agriculture (notwithstanding its infamous underground economy of illicit narcotics.)
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 This condition of political and economic
isolation has also left much of Myanmar's rich and diverse historical culture largely
intact. A strong sense of Buddhism, prevalence of rural ethnic Hill Tribes, and many other
traditional cultural elements are very much present. This stands in contrast to
neighboring Thailand, where rapid modernization has altered traditional Thai culture.
Nevertheless, one senses the eagerness of people to modernize and engage in the
world community.
The
contemporary arts of Myanmar frequently speak to this delicate balance of embracing
modernity while sustaining a rich cultural heritage. The three artists featured in
this exhibit, Tin Win, Nay Myo Say, and Aung Myint reflect on this duality in a personal
yet contemporaneous manner, indicative of the larger society and it's cultural challenges.
View the
Artworks |
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Amit May Fine Arts