Htein Lin, a multifaceted artist from Myanmar is renowned for his diverse practice of painting, installation, performance and writing that together epitomise a profound odyssey characterised by resilience, creativity and dedication to social change. As a self-taught artist, he has navigated his career through tumultuous times, making bold decisions that defined his trajectory.
Born in 1966 in Ingapu, Ayeyarwady Region, Myanmar, Lin's formative years were immersed in the turbulence of political upheaval. While studying law, he became actively involved in student politics, which became the "8888 Uprising," (also known as the People Power Uprising and the 1988 Uprising) after massive demonstrations in Yangon (formerly Rangoon) on August 8, 1988. The protests, rallying against the Burma Socialist Programme Party which governed the country as a totalitarian one-party state under the leadership of General Ne Win, quickly spread nationwide. During this time, Lin confronted the harsh realities of opposition to military rule while pursuing his studies in law. The uprising concluded on September 18, following a violent military coup orchestrated by the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC). While Burmese authorities estimated the death toll from the uprising to be around 350 individuals, thousands of deaths have been ascribed to the military's actions during this period of unrest.
