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“Fires:” Behind the Scenes of the Painting Exhibition of a Burmese-American Family

“Fires:” Behind the Scenes of the Painting Exhibition of a Burmese-American Family

John ChaimovIn colorful paintings, local artist Saw Naing Lin documents his family’s life before and after they became refugees from Burma. From idyllic scenes of the artist’s boyhood pet water buffalo to the cave his family hid in when soldiers attacked his village, the artist’s beautiful paintings depict and honor a story of community, dislocation and perseverance. The paintings have been featured in the "Fires" exhibition shown around the Midwest. In this one-week forum, Associate Professor of World Languages and Cultures John Chaimov will introduce audiences to Saw Naing Lin’s life and work as well as the broader context surrounding the experiences of the 200,000 Burmese who have found refuge in the U.S. in recent decades. From Chaimov and Lin’s family’s initial meeting in a Thai refugee camp to their enduring ties to the Coe community, this forum will trace the inspiring story documented in Lin’s paintings. The presentation will begin by sketching the contemporary history of Burma/Myanmar and the rise of a military dictatorship that made the lives of ethnic minorities like Saw Naing Lin increasingly intolerable. Next, the audience will be guided through the paintings, which depict a lost world of peace and plenty. A display of several actual works will accompany the broader presentation about the entire exhibition. The process of creating and sharing the exhibition will also be discussed, along with how American and Burmese visitors have responded to it. Throughout, the forum will highlight how both art and America have served as refuges of hope and understanding.

Thursday Forum is held in Kesler Auditorium on the first floor of Hickok Hall. Each weekly session begins with registration and refreshments from 8:45-9:15 AM, followed by the lecture until 11:30 AM. The presentations blend lecture, media such as film and music, and discussion.

Admission to each four-week forum series is $40. Admission to individual lectures and each session of two- and three-week forums is $12 per week. Admission includes the lecture and morning refreshments of coffee, tea and pastries. Payment can be made in person on Thursday mornings by cash or personal check. Credit card payments can be processed by registering online in advance at www.coe.edu/why-coe/events/thursday-forum.

In the event of inclement weather, consult local media outlets to find out if the day’s forum will take place.