Buddhist monk, political prisoner, Bachelor of Law, famous artist

It was with him, such a multifaceted, bright, and somewhat contradictory artist, that we were lucky enough to meet during the Christmas holidays.

Htein Lin is a Burmese artist, performer and activist, whose works intertwine protest against the military regime of Myanmar, Buddhism, and the theme of human rights.

Being in prison for participating in the anti-government movement, the artist created more than 1,000 works during his 6.5-year term. Htein Lin worked in the monoprint technique, using fingers, a toothpaste cap, lighters, pieces of glass, etc. as brushes (which were banned in prison). His canvas was a white prison uniform. Monoprint is still one of the artist's favorite techniques.

The installation Thabeik Hmauq consists of 108 begging bowls, put together in the form of Buddhist rosaries. This installation is a symbol of the religious foundations, and divisions of Burmese society.

Soap Blocked is an installation of soap pieces laid out in the shape of Myanmar and symbolizing prison cells with people locked in them. It is literally a monument to the collective helplessness of the Burmese people.

The famous Show of Hands project is in a "constant" process. Htein Lin has been making plaster casts of the hands of political prisoners in Myanmar for several years, talking about human rights violations in his native country.

The paintings created by the artist in custody were transferred for preservation to the International Institute of Social History in Amsterdam.

On January 13, the "Solo Show" Htein's Reincarceration opened in Singapore.

If any of you, friends, will be in Singapore in the next 2 weeks, be sure to visit the exhibition of this original artist!