Art for Freedom May- July 2021

Outside Art Wall

(Excerpts from RCA Media Release)

The Rotary Centre for the Arts (RCA) is making the arts even more accessible with a new outdoor art exhibit space adjacent to the entrance of its building. The first exhibition to be shared with the public on the new outdoor art wall is the Art For Freedom exhibit, which tells the story of the military coup in Myanmar through the eyes of the Art For Freedom artists.

On February 2, 2021, Myanmar’s fragile democracy was crushed by a military coup. This was not accepted by the vast majority of the 54 million people living in this primarily Buddhist country. And so began the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), a nonviolent protest where people have walked off their jobs and onto the streets.

Art For Freedom is an example of the power of artists in creating positive change in society. The Art For Freedom group immediately began creating art to promote the people’s revolution. The art is diverse in styles and media, free for use, and a powerful weapon of solidarity, worn and shown by the millions gathering on the streets. While Burmese is the commonly spoken language, much of the art has English messages in the hopes of garnering international attention. Recycled materials that withstand the elements of the weather were used in the creation of these pieces.

The Art For Freedom exhibit was designed by Hanna Karin, a Kelowna artist who worked in Myanmar for two years as a Cuso International Design Advisor for the environmental, social enterprise in ChuChu, near Yangon. Hanna returned to Kelowna in May 2020, intending to draw awareness to what is happening to the people of Myanmar.

The Art For Freedom Exhibit can be viewed online HERE