CULTURE

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When Burmese took to the streets in 1988 to demand an end to military rule, many artists turned their talents to creating posters for protestors; later, they were arrested and tortured for their contributions to the democratic movement. Similarly, when Aung San Suu Kyi was first placed under house arrest in 1989, many artists were also rounded up for providing their services to her National League for Democracy. And, of course, there is Paw Thit, who is not simply a faithful guide to the intricacies of Burmese art, but also the very embodiment of the pursuit of truth that lies at the heart of all artistic endeavor. Could someone like Kyaw Win ever understand a man like Paw Thit? The answer to this question could very well hold the key to Burma’s future. But for now, it remains far from certain that behind the sophisticated exterior, there still lives in Kyaw Win a man who can grasp the true meaning of art. San San Tin is an art critic and poet. She currently resides in the United States.