We would like to acknowledge Jay Koh of Artstream Myanmar / NICA (Networking + Initiatives for Culture and the Arts) and IFIMA (International Forum for InterMedia Art) for his continued support for this project. Jay’s now back in Yangon and currently helping us look for translators and artwork we can use for the anthology. Kudos, Jay!
The Autumn issue of Art Journal is featuring some of Jay’s photos of Burma, including those done by his partner and principal collaborator, Malaysian-born artist Chu Yuan.
[Photo on right, from Art Journal. Chu Yuan and Myanmar/Burmese collaborators, Offering of Mind:Indian Young Professional) preformed photography in front of Swedagon temple and park grounds, Yangon/Rangoon, 2005, (artwork © Chu Yuan, photograph by Chu Yuan)]
For those interested in Burmese literature, there are profiles of some contemporary writers and sample writing on the Artstream site, as well as other interesting stuff. Below is an excerpt:
Khet Mar (born 1969) started writing professionally at the age of twenty. So far she has published a novel, a collection of essays and a collections of short stories with three other women writers. Of her works, over a hundred short stories, thirteen novels and three serialised novels had been featured in various magazines. (Photo from University of Iowa’s list of 2007 IWP Participants.)
Overture
She washed out her brush and regarded her painting critically: definitely a lot of blues. Blue-gray monsoon clouds over the rippling waters of a river; on the far bank, dark green mountain ranges; a blur of red sky just at the top right edge.
That last ray of fading sun fell on the lone boatman rowing against the current, the muscles of his arms standing out in relief in the light.
A gloomy and dark painting overall, but she had wanted exactly that. It might storm, it might rain, and one might have to row against the current, but then, all one needs is the strength to row. …
[Translated from the Burmese by Ma Thanegi. To read more of Overture, click here.]
