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'A Flag of Truth in My Heart'
Irrawaddy
Friday, June 11, 2010
Artist and poet Saw Wai, one of the founders of Friends of Phyu Township Library, has held poetry readings to raise funds for people living with HIV/AIDS in Mandalay and Rangoon. In 2009, he received the Hellman/Mammett Prize administered by the US-based Human Rights Watch.
He was arrested and jailed for more than two years for writing a poem that spelled out the words, “Power Hungry Insane General Than Shwe.” The poem was printed in “The Love Journal” on Jan. 21, 2008. He was released in May.
Aye Chan Myate, an Irrawaddy correspondent, interviewed him about his poetry, his involvement in performance and installation art, and his community work.
Question: The Rangoon journals and magazines are interviewing you now. Will Burmese media be allowed to print the interviews?
Answer: We'll see. I was interviewed several times. I might have spoken too harshly about the authorities. As a former political prisoner, my answers were frank. If I continued to answer so frankly, it would be difficult to have the interviews printed, so I also spoke about some good points also. The interviewers told me that they would try their best to get my answers in their magazines. It might be possible, they said, because they believe that before or after the 2010 election, some level of freedom might be permitted in in the media.
Q: How is your writing, your art and your community work going now?
A: Well, I wrote some poems and essays while I was in prison. I have to finalize the essay. It's called “Modern Art and Modern Images.” Before I was put in jail, I had already written about 50 short stories and planned to publish the stories in one go. But I couldn’t finish that, because I was imprisoned.
For the community work, we have a group called “White Rainbow.” We need more members. I want to go everywhere to help our people. If there are no restrictions, I will continue the community work.
Q: The essay “Modern Art and Modern Images” was part of the reason you were put in jail?
A: It’s hard to say why I was put in prison. But while in prison, I had more time and I continued to write. Earlier, I had started writing about installation and performance art in Burma.
Q: What is that about?
A: The essay is based on the way I see art and the world changing, and the way I see Burma. In the creative arts, there are ways to comment on political, environmental and economic issues. Some of these ideas can be presented in installation and performance pieces, while other ideas can only live in poems.
So the essay is based on these new approaches to art in Burma. When we talk about art based on political ideas, you can see that everywhere in the world. In the old days, poems were created when a king or president or prime minister committed bad deeds. I also love to create these kinds of poems.
Q: You had opportunities to read and write while you were in prison?
A: Yes, I got a chance to read and write. Normally, political prisoners like us are not allowed to read and write. As soon as I was put in prison, I started demanding the rights of reading and writing. And I told the prison authorities that I wanted to open a library. I was allowed to do that, and I set up a library with about 1,000 books in Insein Prison hospital. When I was transferred to Yamethin Prison, I made the same demand. The prison authorities allowed me to set up a library with about 1,000 books there. We had more readers in Insein Prison than Yamethin Prison. So, gradually, I had to suggest and push my fellow prisoners to read. After 18 months, more prisoners were reading books. In Yamethin Prison, there are about 400 political prisoners and about 120 are regular readers. That’s one of the things I did in prison.
Q: Other political prisoners were allowed to read and write like you?
A: Political prisoners around me were allowed to read and write. When I was in Insein Prison, we were allowed to read, but not 100 percent. If we wanted to write, we had to ask for permission from prison authorities. and then they gave us some paper and pens.
Q: In Burma, censorship limits creativity. Your multi-faceted approach tries, in a way, to address that. We all know that when the authorities understand too much, there can be a problem, but when they don’t understand at all, there can be another type of problem.
A: First, I have to say, I agree with you, but if we don’t create new art and new things because of restrictions, then everything stops. We have to try to overcome censorship problems. At the same time, our viewers and readers must understand our creations. I believe that sooner or later, modern art in Burma will reflect our era. I am working with this belief.
Q: In Burma, for many years, artists were not able to write about certain topics or use certain types of images.
A: Trying to overcome such difficulties carries a big burden. In every era under any kind of government, artists must work to create new things that speak the truth. If we are united, one day things will get better.
Q: While you were in prison, did the “White Rainbow” group keep up its work in the community?
A: Even though they didn't work under the name “White Rainbow,” they worked with needy people. After Cyclone Nargis, they went to the affected areas to help villagers. When I was in prison, I read the journals and I saw their names and the photographs showing their work with the storm survivors. As you know, comedian Zargana, Zaw Thet Htwe and Nay Phone Latt were put in prison because of their relentless efforts for the cyclone survivors. Ne Phone Latt is not a “White Rainbow” group member, but he was working with Zargana. I admire all of them.
Q: Do you plan poetry readings under the name “White Rainbow”?
A: Yes, under this name. I will present new art and carry on with our community work.
Q: You won a major United States writing award while in prison. How did you feel?
A: I am very happy. But I must say everyone is doing something valuable. When we heard that I was awarded that prize, my fellow prisoners were psychologically encouraged, also the people of Burma. We saw that people in democratic societies support us. I am very proud of that, and I was honored. I felt very satisfied. It encouraged me to do my best with all my heart and strength for my people and my country.
Q: Can you talk about your feelings when you wrote the poem that was printed in “The Love Journal”?
A: I am flying a flag of truth in my heart when I create art. This truth is disliked by tyranny. This truth is disliked by the rich. This truth is honored by the honest people of the world.
http://www.irrawaddy.org/print_article.php?art_id=18703
