After a decade of a country striving towards democracy, Myanmar people’s dreams were dashed by the military coup that took place on February 1, 2021.   Since then, the country has seen a rise in gross human rights violations as the military junta quickly escalated their use of violence against civilians.  At the close of 2021, thousands of people have been killed and over 5,000 remain detained, many subjected to torture and eventual death.

The Myanmar people have overwhelmingly rejected the coup. Initially, an estimated 650,000 people joined the civil disobedience movement (CDM), a grass-roots non-violent protest movement across Myanmar that encourages civil servants and the private sector to boycott work under the military. Soon, waves of urban youth took up arms against the junta in their fight to regain freedom and democracy.

Many professional Myanmar artists that were working in the government also joined CDM. All of the artists and their families have faced extreme financial difficulties. In addition, the coup has had a tremendous negative impact on Myanmar’s cultural life.  The artists have been using their skills to make paintings, sculptures, handicrafts while in hiding.

The art work included in this fundraiser consist of Myanmar artists inside the country

In partnership with the Myanmar artists, a group of Myanmar and long-term supporters of the country are organizing the “Artists Against Tyranny” art exhibit and auction. The organizers involved in this art auction fundraiser have been involved in supporting the people of Myanmar through various initiatives since the coup. Some of the organizers successfully organized a smaller-scale global art auction for Myanmar in April 2021, involving thirty plus artists and generated 6k in funding. Given this positive experience, we believe that we can hold a larger art auction and maximize the benefits for Myanmar people.

This project has three aims:

• to provide humanitarian aid to Myanmar people in need, including these artists and their families
• to raise greater public awareness about and gain international solidarity for the plight of Myanmar people
• to help preserve Myanmar’s rich cultural heritage

The project has three components:

• The art exhibit featuring art from Myanmar artists will be held at the Jane Lombard Gallery at 58 White Street, New York City on December 9-11.  Gallery-goers will have the option to purchase the artwork on display.
• In addition, an online auction will be held featuring Myanmar artists, as well as artists from around the world starting at 8pm on Dec 11^th, ending at 8pm on Dec 13^th Eastern time.
• A virtual live event featuring well-known speakers, artists, poets, musicians, and performances on Dec 11th, 9pm to 11pm Eastern Time

Please direct any questions to: art4myanmar@gmail.com.