Well-known Myanmar artist Chuu Wai’s solo exhibition “Thread Under Threat: Myanmar Women Out of the 3-Year Coup Shadow” is born out of solidarity with the opposition movement in Myanmar that has been fighting for democracy since the coup d'état led by General Min Aung Hlaing on 1 February 2021. It resonates with the resilience of the people of Myanmar, and especially of the women among them. For three years now, they have been demanding the restoration of democracy and the rule of law and the release of the imprisoned leaders and all other political in spite of the military’s use of lethal force. As of January 2024, 4,363 people are confirmed killed by the junta and a total of 25,818 people have been arrested, with 19,926 currently detained. The number of displaced people in the country and across borders is over 2 million and growing. Amidst the failure of the international community to pay attention and take actions, people are not giving up, continuing their support for the opposition National Unity Government (NUG) in exile and counting on their steadfast opposition and the armed resistance by the People Defense Force and the Ethnic Armies gaining ground to eventually win the revolution.
SEA Junction, committed to raised awareness of the Myanmar coup crisis among the general public through art, presents this third commemorative exhibition with a somewhat different approach. Departing from the darkness exposed in previous exhibitions, this time we seek to unveil the beauty that persist even in challenging times. Through the powerful portrayal of women figures in Chuu Wai’s paintings, the exhibition shines a spotlight on the strength, resilience, and indomitable spirit of women who have stood against the oppressive forces of both patriarchal and authoritarian values. These figures become symbols of defiance, challenging preconceptions and inspiring a movement towards a more just and democratic society.
More generally, the artworks radiate the resilient spirit and unique culture of Myanmar as a resource to draw upon in the current context. Utilizing handwoven fabric, vintage photos, and newspaper clippings, the exhibition celebrates the country’s uniqueness while also unveiling and challenging the complex tapestry meticulously woven by those in power through education, religion, and traditional normative systems directed at perpetuating an authoritarian and patriarchal system, which people are now set to change.
About artist
Chuu Wai (Shan State, 1992)
Born in 1992, Yatsaut, Shan State, Myanmar
Chuu Wai is a painter, performance artist and activist from Myanmar who has lived in exile in Paris following the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état. She has been active since 2008 when she began studying at the National University of Art and Culture (Mandalay) and Technological University (Mandalay). She has had solo and group exhibitions both in Myanmar and internationally including in London, Paris, New York, Berlin, Luxembourg, Hong Kong and Canberra and often also gives art talks. She is a founder of ‘Young Dream’ under Jefferson Center (Mandalay) which is a group organizing workshops and exhibitions for young artists and in Myanmar she is considered a media figure and a young influencer artist.
Since 2015, Chuu has been working on paintings which reflect her interest in the female identity when her artistic impulse found a new outlet after a sexual harassment of a guy on the street. This experience made her focus on gender issues and the condition of women in Myanmar today. The artist, who is an engineer as well as a painter, has created a series of works with many layers which conceal and reveal at the same time.
