Saw Chucil
Being the son of an artist, Chu Cil started painting at a very young age. He has three brothers who also try to make their living as artists. Chu Cil and his family live along the Thai-Burma border and Chu Cil supports them with his work painting Buddhist monasteries and creating and selling his work to travelers to the border area.
“I work in the tourist areas for as long as I can, it’s really the only way I can make money because the monasteries only give us sanctuary and a bit of rice, but it’s not safe for me in Thailand so I have to return to Burma frequently. I’m lucky that I have friends to help me on both sides or I’d be arrested more frequently.” -Chu Cil
Chu Cil has been arrested and put in jail several times in Burma for talking with NLD members, refusing to pay bribes, and being caught with so called ‘counterfeit Thai money.’
“The third time I was arrested I asked for pencils and paper and started doing sketches of the guards. They brought me pictures of their family members and so I sketched them too. After awhile we all became friends and they let me go. Most of the guards are working in prison just to feed themselves, there aren’t really a lot of choices in Burma, if you can get a job that feeds your family you take it.” -Chu Cil
Chu Cil has been commissioned for numerous works both in Thailand and overseas. He sends back half of the money he earns to his family inside Burma and the rest goes to support his family along the border.
“It’s easy to get depressed here and think that things will never change, that no one knows of our plight. Getting commissions not only helps me and my family but helps everyone who struggles here by giving us hope.” Chu Cil
Portfolio examples
Saw Chucil factfile
| Born: | 1963, Karen State |
| Started: | In childhood |
| Studied under: | Win Peh Myint Oo Long Gwe |
| Education: | 10th Standard |
| Occupation: | Artist Art Teacher |
| Favorite Medium: | Acrylic |
| Exhibitions: | Ban Thai, April 2005 ‘Local Artist Exhibition on Borderline’, June 2005 with KSNG ‘My Life, My State’, October 2004, Borderline ‘Anniversary’, August 2005, Borderline Gallery ‘Yearning To The Burma’ Second Solo Show, October 2007 |
| Membership: | Borderline Gallery |