Portrait of A Young Poet, 2022
Acrylic on canvas
20 cm x 30 cm
Ko Zar Win was killed in a protest in the town of Monywa, Burma (March 3, 2021). He was an activist poet protesting a Chinese copper mine which had displaced local villagers through violent police repression. A nationally recognized and published poet, he died at a young age fighting for democratic freedom and education inside Burma. This portrait painting is done in homage.
Since the beginning of the military coup in February 1, 2021, several young poets have given their lives in street protests and acts of civil disobedience. Here’s an extract from an article that appeared in the NY Times titled “Where Poets Are Being Killed and Jailed After a Military Coup” written by Hannah Beech.
After the first and second poets were killed, the third poet wrote a poem.
They shoot at heads
But they do not know
That revolution lives in the heart.
After the third poet was killed, the fourth poet wrote a poem.
Don’t let your blood run cold
Pool your blood for this fight.