STOLEN FREEDOM: A Portrait of Aye Nandar Soe

In collaboration with Myanmar designer Black Design, this piece honors Aye Nandar Soe, a student activist and member of the All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU), who has been missing since her arrest in September 2021. Detained without charge and held in unknown conditions, her case reflects the Myanmar military regime’s brutal crackdown on activists and protesters.

Inspired by Shepard Fairey’s iconic portraiture, this artwork reimagines hope in Myanmar through the faces of its young activists, like Aye Nandar Soe. Her absence symbolizes not just the loss of an individual but the theft of democracy from the people. The bold lines and vibrant tones evoke resilience and determination, elevating her as an enduring emblem of courage and defiance against oppression.

This piece invites viewers to reflect on the cost of freedom and the unwavering spirit of those fighting for justice.