Studio visit, detail

Letters to Embassy of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Office of the Head of the Judiciary in Iran, and Shanghai Bureau of Public Security; pen on handmade paper

The letter to Myanmar (Burma) called for the release of Su Su Nway, a labor activist and prisoner of conscience; Aung San Suu Kyi, who was released on November 2010; and the other many other political prisoners unjustly detained in Myanmar. The letter to Iran calls for the release of a student activist, Majid Tavakkoli. He was sentenced for eights years in prison for speaking at a university rally in Tehran on National Student Day. The letter to Shanghai, China is calling to release Mao Hengfeng, a human rights defender, who was detained and working in a re-education through labor camp. Mao Hengfeng was unexpectedly released in July 2011. She had suffered from a severe beating and released barely unconscious in a wheelchair. 

A Portrait of Aung San Suu Kyi; pen on paper
I drew a portrait of Aung San Suu Kyi with quotes from her speeches. The text over her face is used to help teach the viewer about who she is and what she works for in Burma.

Five O'clock Tea; oil on canvas
In response to Mary Cassett's 'Five O'clock Tea"

Paper Countries; Thai Kozo, Japanese Kozo, and Philippine Gampi, Cotton

The borders of each country are represented in cut paper made from pulp from that country.

Paper Masks; Cotton, Abaca

Self Portrait; charcoal on paper

Tim McGraw; acrylic on canvas

Tissa and the Contrast of Expression; acrylic on canvas

This piece is two paintings that contrast forms of expression in Sri Lankan and in the US. One painting shows Tissa behind bars in detention. The other is of several activists holding posters. This side was inspired by photos I took on a Get on the Bus for Human Rights event that I participated with in New York City.