Hser Hei Htoo

[BFA] Painting

Lived in Thailand, Grew up in Lincoln NE

My Culture My Identity

I make paintings and sculptures that explore and celebrate Karen culture and traditions. My love for my country comes from the jungle that we traveled through, the wars our parents escaped, and the traditions we celebrate to keep our culture alive. I paint on traditional garments, and fabric that is stretched onto a canvas that consists of different patterns and colors. The imagery that I paint on the garments and fabric is of the landscape of our hometown, the activities we do, and the life we live in the village. As Karen people are still caught in the conflicts surrounding Burmese military and the Thai authorities, I hope the viewer can see a glimpse of a culture that is being lost to those conflicts.

With a strong longing to make a difference in her culture and tell the Karen people’s story, Hser spoke out about her experience and many others’ experience and what her people had gone through and still going through until this day. She was born in Thailand in the refugee camps area called Mae La Oo, where life was tough and all around was poverty. She later immigrated to the USA in Lincoln, Nebraska when she was 6. She is finishing her BFA degree in Studio Art the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

My culture my Identitiy:

Hser Hei Htoo

 

My Culture my Identity,

This life my serenity,

My country my beauty, it is,

My culture my identity.

 

Under one flag we stand,

for freedom, we gather hands,

With unity, we carry,

My culture my identity.

 

We bleed the same,

but our tongues are different,

We grieved the pain,

of our people living unpleasant,

Our property, our poverty,

My culture my identity.

 

Freedom freedom freedom we chant,

War war war to expect,

Fire fire that came,

fire fire we overcame,

Flee flee flee the only way,

Fight fight fight still the same,

Goodbye my country, my name,

Til I see you again, one day,

I plead,

for freedom,

My culture my identity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I make paintings and sculptures that share a story of my Karen culture and traditions.