About Borderline

On Thursday 8th May, Borderline Gallery was excited to announce the book launch of “Dreaming of Prayer Flags” with an exhibition of impressionistic photography from Sandy Shum’s new book.

Opening Reception: Borderline offered Burmese food and drinks supported by Borderline Tea Shop. As usual the opening reception was held in the evening between 6-9pm at the Borderline Gallery, Mae Sot. The exhibition will close on Thursday 22 May.

This is the beginning of an international tour for “Dreaming of Prayer Flags” which will travel to Washington DC, Bhutan, Cambodia, California, and Europe.

‘Dreaming of Prayer Flags’ opens a stunning portal into the heart of the cloistered Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan. Karma Singye Dorji’s stories are tender and intimate and Sandy Shum’s images of the country are filled with color, light and movement. The stories and images blend luminously to unveil grand Himalayan vistas, spiritually resonant festivals, and the unhurried rhythms of village life.

Dreaming of Prayer Flags art works

On Thursday 10th April, Borderline opened a special exhibition titled MY STORY photo project 3 and Wayne Boucher’s Paintings at the Border.

The photographs are by students in the MY STORY photo project 3, and were taken in the Mae Sot area, at Mae Ra Moe Camp, and Ler Per Her, from January through March 2008. Students came from Karen Youth Organization, Karen Agriculture Department, other refugee camps, IDP areas, and from Mae Tao Clinic. After intensive 2 weeks training in basic photo techniques, and the taking of hundreds of photographs, the students edited their work into the current exhibition, with two images from each participant. The photos reflect the lives of the photographers and how they see their world: boys playing, happy children, sad children, proud parents, men and women at work, students, the rivers, mountains and flowers they love.

This February, the MY STORY photo project and Borderline Gallery were delighted to bring visual artist Wayne Boucher from Nova Scotia, Canada, to work as artist in residence for 5 weeks. Working alongside Borderline artists, Boucher created a series of 10 vibrant abstract works, reflecting his impressions of the sights, sounds, and smells he encountered here.

Says Boucher, ‘We learned how to look through each others’ eyes’.

Borderline Gallery and MY STORY photo project would like to thank the following organizations for their support:

Canada Council for the Arts
Canada Fund
Help Without Frontiers
Karen Youth Organization
Karen Education Workers’ Union
Mae Tao Clinic
MSppa
Nova Scotia Arts and Partnership Council

The gallery is open every day except Monday, from 10 am to 6 pm. Sein Sein Lin is around to give information on artists and works. The exhibition will close on 30th April.

My Story photo project 3 art works

Wayne Boucher art works

From March 21 to April 9, the Borderline Gallery shows art works by members of her collective. An eclectic collection of works is exhibited. Expect charcoal paintings, water colors, oils and acrylics.

The gallery is open every day except Monday, from 10 am to 6 pm. Sein Sein Lin is around to give information on artists and works, and other artists regularly drop by.

General Show art works

On Thursday 6th March, Borderline opened a special exhibition of Solidarity Women, showcasing the work of many women artists along the Thai-Burma border. It is our third solo show and celebration in honor of International Women’s Day on 8th March 2008 at Borderline Gallery.

You can feel their work of watercolor, acrylic, oil on canvas and mixing medium for creative and their subjects are the many aspects of their home country, Burma.

We also sell Women Solidarity Bags. Each canvas bag has it own unique design. Hand painted by migrant women artists from Burma, Limited Edition.

The exhibition closed on 20th March. For the opening reception, Borderline offered Burmese food and drinks supported by Borderline Tea Shop. As usual the opening reception was held in the evening between 6:00pm and 9:00pm.

Solidarity Women art works

‘All I really want people to do is fall in and drown in the work. Perhaps, the need to find home.’ says Wayne Boucher about his work, that for the past 10 years has been all about watery places.

Unfortunately for him, February is a dry month in Thailand so he needs to get his inspiration from other places.

In his native land Canada, Wayne is a respected and accomplished artist whose work has been exhibited in many places. He has received many grants, including grants from the Canada Council, and won many awards like the Nova Scotia Portia White Prize.

Besides painting Wayne is also very active in promoting the arts as an essential part of the community, serving as Chair of the Annapolis Royal Region Community Arts Council and on selection committees and juries for the province of Nova Scotia and the Canada Council. Especially this last aspect makes him an excellent partner of the Borderline Collective.

With the support from Susan and Nat Tileston from the My Story Project, the Canada Fund, Canada Council, and the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture, Heritage, Wayne will be staying for the month February 2008 at the Borderline as a resident artists.

He will talk and work with the artists of the Borderline, hold workshops (the first one was on February 2), and exchange ideas.

Workshop photos