Maw Reh

 About the artist:

I love my culture. You can see it in my paintings, drawings and photographs. Over and over, I depict the faces, garments and adornments of the Karenni people. My art is also a kind of journalism, portraying the hardship, suffering and danger of the lives that many Karenni still live in our homeland. In Phoenix, I give as much time as I can to organizing both traditional festivals and newly created ones—celebrations that are an opportunity for Karenni people to come together, a chance for them to hold onto bits of the life they were forced to leave behind.

I was born a refugee. My parents, along with thousands of other Karenni, had fled their ethnic homeland in Burma to camps across the border in Thailand. Over generations, persecution and violence at the hands of Burmese military would flare up and then subside; but safety for the Karenni minority (and many other ethnic groups) was never guaranteed. With some families living in refugee camps for decades, the opportunity to emigrate was a dream. My family got that opportunity when I was nine.

Like any immigrant, my story of adapting to a new culture was difficult. With not a word of English, no real understanding of the culture I was suddenly immersed in, one of only a few Asian kids in a typical inner-city elementary school, there were the usual problems of shyness, low self-esteem and bullying. My journey as an artist began during this same period. While doodling in class, I was “discovered” (I thought I was in trouble) by my classroom teacher. With talent I didn’t know that I had, I was connected with art teachers in high school, then at Phoenix College and ASU.

With commissioned portraits, murals and designs for businesses part of my resumé, with paint, ink, photography and digital media among my tools, I’m now trying to figure out a life as a working artist. This exhibition is a culmination of both the artist and the person I’ve become. I’m here through my own hard work, and with the guidance, support and affection of people who’ve believed in me. I’m very glad you’re here to see my work.