Resilience in Shadows: Art Amidst Adversity
A group exhibition with Than Kyaw Htay, Sandar Khaing, Kyu Kyu, and Thyitar
Curated by Kyel Sin Lin
3 August – 7 September 2024
A+ Works of Art, Kuala Lumpur
A+ WORKS of ART is proud to present Resilience in Shadows: Art Amidst Adversity, an exhibition of artists from Myanmar, curated by Kyel Sin Lin.
Resilience in Shadows: Art Amidst Adversity features works from four Myanmar artists: Than Kyaw Htay, Sandar Khaing, Kyu Kyu, and Thyitar. Together, the artists showcase resilience through art and offer compelling narratives of strength and optimism that transcend borders and encourage viewers to reflect on collective adversities.
Each work, informed by each artist’s lived experiences, contributes to conversations surrounding the relentless pursuit of hope in the face of uncertainty. They, each, bring distinct perspectives and styles: Than Kyaw Htay took from drone imagery and territorial mapping to address land disputes escalating into wars, where against grey devastation, bright lines mirror silver linings among destruction; Sandar Khaing’s bold, dynamic expressions translate onto canvas portraits of women who have both endured and resisted violence inflicted by their own communities, underscoring the strength of, and need for resilience; Kyu Kyu paints a dark enveloping force, evoking the desperation for refuge, the anxieties that come with planning a path to success, and ultimately, envisioning a brighter future for all; lastly, Thyitar illustrates the search for light even in moments of darkness, using the lighthouse as a guide that leads one to a more hopeful tomorrow. Despite these diverse approaches and subject matter, all four artists share a commitment to not only addressing uncertainty and plights but also uncovering hope through their art.
Curator’s Statement
I am honoured to provide a platform for artists Than Kyaw Htay, Sandar Khaing, Kyu Kyu, and Thyitar to express their truths and illuminate resilience, even in the shadows. Their works act as powerful reminders of the harsh realities and struggles experienced by many, and their unwavering human spirit. Influenced by their authentic perspectives, modes of creation, and life experiences, each piece contributes to a dialogue of resilience born from personal encounters.
Regardless of one’s country or community, we are likely, knowingly or unknowingly, to have encountered painful life experiences, faced uncertainty and gender inequality or the loss of rights to express and speak, and perhaps endured them ourselves. Sometimes, all we can do is offer prayers for those in pain, as we feel powerless to extend a helping hand.
Join us on this journey of reflection and hope as we uncover the strength concealed within adversity, and cultivate understanding, empathy, and solidarity. Through showcasing the strength and creativity of the art, the exhibition is centred around themes of endurance and hope, which often serve as our guiding light in chaotic periods.
In a world where marginalised voices are often overshadowed, these artists refuse to be silenced, using conceptual creativity as a vehicle for advocacy and change. Through this exhibition, we celebrate the resilience and creative prowess of Than Kyaw Htay, Sandar Khaing, Kyu Kyu, and Thyitar, who demonstrate the transformative power of art in confronting adversity.
Artist Biographies
Than Kyaw Htay (b. 1978, Sittwe, Myanmar) draws from his experiences in Myanmar’s Rakhine State to create deeply emotive artworks. His “Silent Moves” series, focusing on the plight of migrants, juxtaposes ghostly backgrounds with poignant portrayals of women and children. In his latest “Mapstracts” series, he explores geopolitical conflicts through abstract representations of bombed areas contrasted with vibrant cityscapes, reflecting both devastation and resilience. He has participated in numerous exhibitions in Yangon, including 14 solo shows, and his work has been showcased in Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, India, Canada, the US, and France.
Sandar Khaing (b. 1971, Yangon, Myanmar) challenges societal norms through her provocative nude paintings and innovative use of mixed media. Her early struggles with censorship gave rise to the groundbreaking “The Naked Truth with Newspaper” series, blending nude portraiture with journalistic elements. Her work, celebrated for its bold use of colours and expressive brushstrokes, continues to inspire dialogue on human rights and personal freedom. Renowned both locally and internationally, her work has been exhibited in over 30 shows worldwide, including in Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, and the US.
Kyu Kyu (b. 1965, Dawei, Myanmar) brings a dynamic blend of cubism and contemporary themes to her artworks. Her pieces, characterized by vibrant colours and geometric forms, delve into personal and societal narratives, often depicting landscapes and human figures in intricate detail. Her extensive exhibition history and diverse artistic expressions highlight her enduring impact on the global art scene. Since 2005, she has participated in over 40 group exhibitions locally and internationally. In 2008, she performed at the “NIPAF Asia Performance Art Exhibition” in Japan. Her painting “Golden Mirage” was featured as the cover art for the contemporary Myanmar poetry book “Bones Will Grow.”
Thyitar (b. 1988, Yangon, Myanmar) explores feminism and social issues through performance and multidisciplinary art. Her “Hope” series, conceived during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, uses symbolic imagery like bottles adrift at sea to convey universal themes of resilience and hope. Her artworks serve as powerful reflections on navigating adversity and the transformative power of optimism, resonating across cultural boundaries. Since 2011, Thyitar has actively participated in various group exhibitions and performance art events, both locally and internationally. She was recognized as a “Finalist of the 2020 Sovereign Asia Art Prize”. In 2020, her first solo exhibition, “CONVERSATION,” was held at Medo Art Space in Vienna, Austria.
Curator Biography
Kyel Sin is the CEO and Curator of “Coming From Kalaw,” a community-based art company in Myanmar. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Technology (Hmawbi) and has worked as a Local Assistant Architect for a UK humanitarian charity “Article 25.”
With extensive experience in the art industry, Kyel Sin has curated exhibitions in Myanmar featuring contemporary and emerging local artists. In October 2023, she curated the “Age Off” exhibition in Yangon, which received widespread acclaim in the Myanmar art scene for its conceptual approach and vivid expression of artwork in unconventional spaces. Her curatorial approach emphasises inclusivity and promotes dialogue between artists and audiences.
Kyel Sin specializes in driving community change through the arts, with a particular focus on accessible art education programs that highlight local cultural narratives. She is passionate about bringing the value of art to her community in Kalaw, where she currently resides.
In addition to her curatorial work, Kyel Sin founded the “CFK_Art Fund,” which serves over 120 children every weekend, offering free art education and social development programs. The initiative aims to develop a basic art curriculum and manual guidelines for rural areas. Outside of curating, she enjoys cycling through the scenic mountain landscapes of Shan State and exploring traditional crafts and livelihoods of minorities.
Than Kyaw Htay, “Mapstracts”, 2023-2024, Acrylic on canvas, 60.96 x 162.56 cm
Sandar Khaing, “The Naked Truth”, 2021, Acrylic on canvas, 121.92 x 106.68 cm
Kyu Kyu, “Lost 3”, 2024, Acrylic on canvas, 132.08 x 132.08 cm
Thyitar, “Hope”, 2023-2024, Acrylic on canvas, 121.92 x 91.44 cm
| In collaboration with Coming From Kalaw
Coming From Kalaw (CFK) is a creative-driven art company in Kalaw, dedicated to offering professional conceptual curating services and promoting community change through the arts. Focused on Southern Shan State, we engage in exhibitions, collaborations, activities, and artwork sales. CFK is also dedicated to emphasizing the importance of art education, especially in rural areas where such support is often overlooked. |
 |
A+ WORKS of ART is located at:
d6-G-8
d6 Trade Centre
801 Jalan Sentul 51000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours:
12 pm – 7 pm, Wednesday to Saturday
(Closed on Sunday to Tuesday, and public holidays)
* Visit to the gallery is by private appointment only.
Please contact +6018 333 3399 or email info@aplusart.asia
A+ WORKS of ART is a contemporary art gallery based in Kuala Lumpur, with a geographic focus on Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Founded in 2017 by Joshua Lim, the gallery presents a wide range of contemporary practices, from painting to performance, drawing, sculpture, new media art, photography, video and installation. Its exhibitions have showcased diverse themes and approaches, including material experimentation and global conversations on social issues. Collaboration is key to the ethos of A+ Works of Art. Since its opening, the gallery has worked with artists, curators, writers, collectors, galleries and partners from within the region and beyond, and continues to look out for new collaborations. The gallery name is a play on striving for distinction but also on the idea that art is never without context and is always reaching to connect — it is always “plus” something else.
Facebook: AplusArt.asia | Instagram: @aplusart.asia | Website: www.aplusart.asia
FB: AplusArt.asia Instagram: @aplusart.asia
For more information, please contact:
TQPR Thailand
Tom Van Blarcom or Nuie Titichayapon
Tel: 0 2260 5820 Email: tom@tqpr.com | nuie@tqpr.com