“It struck me that our lives as political prisoners were like an eclipse,” he would later write. One minute he had a successful acting and artistic career, “the next minute the darkness of a cell”.Financial Times, 19 March 2021

 

Htein Lin is a pioneer of performance art in Myanmar and also known for his narrative paintings and prints, many of which draw on his experiences as a political prisoner. Religious, political and environmental narratives in his installation and community projects often explore the notion of healing after traumatic events. Htein Lin grew up under a period of oppressive military government. As a young man he was active in the 1988 student movement, which would later lead to his jailing for six years. He lived in the UK from 2006 to 2013 before returning to Myanmar. Using simple materials such as charcoal, soap, clothing and alms bowls, his recent installations and sculptural works address broader issues of environmental disaster, sustainability and rural communities, as well as reflecting on protests, gatherings and ongoing issues facing Myanmar today.