For the last six decades, military operations have resulted in numerous war crimes against ethnic minority populations in Kachin, Karen, Karenni, and Shan States. Since 2021, the Myanmar military has expanded its use of “scorched earth” tactics in Chin, Magway and Sagaing regions. The United Nation estimates that there are 1.7 million people have been internally displaced because of violence, with an additional 1.1 million Myanmar refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries (UNOCHA, March 2023).
The following works present the views of young people who are Karen refugees in Thailand. The artworks portray a first-person narrative tying the youth experience, the traumatic impact of displacement and the importance of human rights in contexts where there is war and forced migration.
Article 14 of the UDHR grants the right to seek and enjoy asylum from persecution. This right, in addition to the right to leave one’s own country (Article 13), and the right to nationality (Article 15), has given millions of people life-saving protection as refugees.
For the last six decades, military operations have resulted in numerous war crimes against ethnic minority populations in Kachin, Karen, Karenni, and Shan States. Since 2021, the Myanmar military has expanded its use of “scorched earth” tactics in Chin, Magway and Sagaing regions. The United Nation estimates that there are 1.7 million people have been internally displaced because of violence, with an additional 1.1 million Myanmar refugees fleeing to neighbouring countries (UNOCHA, March 2023).
The following works present the views of young people who are Karen refugees in Thailand. The artworks portray a first-person narrative tying the youth experience, the traumatic impact of displacement and the importance of human rights in contexts where there is war and forced migration.
Article 14 of the UDHR grants the right to seek and enjoy asylum from persecution. This right, in addition to the right to leave one’s own country (Article 13), and the right to nationality (Article 15), has given millions of people life-saving protection as refugees.
Artistic developments can be likened to wildflowers struggling to emerge from oppressive authoritarian regimes. Despite the challenges faced, Burmese art, encompassing literature, poetry, painting, music, and contemporary dance, has flourished in recent years. Amidst the haunting political events, we present the responses of Burmese artists who seize limited opportunities to express themselves. This exhibition showcases the beauty and courage of these "wildflowers." However, due to concerns for their safety and that of their families, the location and names of the artists remain undisclosed. The literature and visual arts on display reflect the lives people have endured during the past three years, marked by difficulties and dangerous atmospheres. Visitors to this exhibition will be able to explore the struggle against injustice from the unique perspective of art.
The Hidden Diaries Online Exhibition is a collaborative effort curated by Article X and Doh Hlay.
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Inspired by the complex emotions experienced in their escape from Yangon across the Thai border with the help of human traffickers, this live performance explores the tension between the two forces influencing the artist’s journey — Dhamma, cosmic law and order, and Adhamma, cosmic injustice and disorder.
As our conclusive piece, we invite the viewer to take a few moments to participate in this piece: to listen, to meditate and to ponder.
