Htein Lin: Burma Inside Out - Year 4 Workshop

This week, Year 4 went to Asia House to see an exhibition called 'Htein Lin: Burma Inside Out' and carried out a workshop in response to the exhibition.

The work was produced by Htein Lin, between 1998 and 2004, while he had been imprisoned in Burma. He painted secretly whilst in jail, using white cotton prison uniforms as a substitute for canvas. Htein Lin had to improvise, using a variety of materials and tools, such as soap blocks, syringes, cigarette lighters, pieces of netting, plates and mugs, and his own body to create his art work. His images depict prison life, the memories, hopes, fears and dreams of prisoners, Buddhist faith, and memorable events spent behind bars, like the Millennium.

Printing blocks made from bars of soap

       

   

We studied and talked about the art work, spent some time sketching some of the patterns in the prints and then used these and our own ideas to print a banner, using some of the same techniques that Htein Lin used to create his prints.

   

   

   

   

                           

Take a look at the 'Asia House Workshop - Year 4' photo album for more photos... ALL UP NOW!

"I liked the printing because you could use your fingers and hands. I also liked meeting Htein Lin because he seemed like a nice person." J.J. 4L

"I enjoyed monoprinting, drawing and meeting Htein Lin. I liked his art and techniques. His life story is amazing. I felt happy and lively, it was fun and great. Thumbs up!" Klara 4L

"I enjoyed learning about Asia, meeting Htein Lin, learning about art and trying a different way of printing." Ebun 4L

"I enjoyed asking questions, printing and painting and having a gallery walk of our work!"

"I enjoyed monoprinting. I felt excited, happy, enthusiastic, pleased, it was fun and I worked hard." Joana 4L

The exhibition is open until 13th October

Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm, closed Sundays

Admittance £2, free to Asia House members and concessions

Asia House

63 New Cavendish Street

London

W1G 7LP

Comments

[Klara]

I loved Aisa house. It was so fun. I also liked Htein Lin.

[giuseppe]

I like the way we did the printing with Htein Lin.

[catherine]

I think it is quite amazing carving soap in jail because
you don't really have anything to carve with.

[JJ]

Thank you for taking me to Asia house I liked meeting Htein lin and his artwork was great!

[kevin]

I liked going to Asia House because we learned about Burma and it was fun to meet someone famous.

[kevin]

I liked meeting Htein Lin because it was my first time meeting someone famous and it was incredible to make stuff at night and hiding it. I felt sad for Htein Lin becuse he was sick when he came out of prison. He always had a smile on his face and he was a good art worker like Arwen.

[Arwen]

You are very welcome J.J. I really enjoyed it too!

[Dior]

I really liked Asia house. I loved meeting a person who is very good at art and stayed in prison for 6 and a half years. I loved the trip.

[Ayla]

I liked Asia House because it taught me lots about Burma and how Htein Lin managed to do lots of printing on uniforms that people gave him while in prison. He used tools including pens and paint.

[Ayla]

It's amazing how Htein Lin manages with his painting to never take his hand off the material.

[Dior]

I really enjoyed going to Asia house. I learnt lots of things about Burma. Htein Lin was very imaginative.

[Zena]

I liked having fun and I enjoyed printing and painting with Htein Lin.

[River]

I liked Htein Lin because he always had a smile on his face. I liked looking at his art work too because he used different things to print with on the fabric, like soap, credit cards and toothpaste lids.

[Diona]

I enjoyed printing with our hands and looking at some of Htein Lin's work.

[matias]

I liked Asia house because it was fun. We did painting and we drew a pattern.

[sasha]

I really liked Htein Lin because he is really creative and he was really friendly, I actully got his attorgraph! I was really happy.

[marko]

I really liked meeting Htein Lin because he is really creative, he is famous and I got his autograph.

[matt]

I liked Asia House because it was fun.

[sophia]

I have had a look at the pictures of the visit to Aisa house. I love them! I hope you are doing well.

[Arwen]

Yes, we are doing well thank you. How are you doing?
The visit to Asia House was fantastic. Have you been anywhere/done anything that you would like to tell us about Sophia?

[paige]

hi its paige from the old year 6 i really like looking at these old pictures it was such great memories