Nge Lay emigrated to France after the 2021 coup d'état in Myanmar, leaving behind a stable, comfortable life in favor of freedom. Nge Lay and her husband Aung Ko aspire to a better life not only for their daughter, but also for their careers as artists. A2Z ART GALLERY is proud to present Nge Lay's solo exhibition: "Beautifully Thorned Path", featuring her latest works of art that recall her tumultuous journey during which she kept repeating this poignant question:
"Could I continue my life as a full-time artist with this situation in the future? ".
Throughout history, artists around the world have addressed the topic of immigration in their work. Unfortunately, this subject continues to be one of the major problems facing our society. Due to wars and political conflicts, many people have to flee their homeland, leave their past behind and settle in another country in order to survive. Like them, Nge Lay had to face major and unexpected changes. She moved to a new country with no fixed residence or income and little or no understanding of the French language. She finds herself facing an uncertain and unstable future. Through this exhibition, Nge Lay reveals the difficulties and complexities of everyday refugee life. Drawing on her personal experience, she sheds light on the fate of thousands of people. Her work underlines not only her ambitions for herself and her family, but also for those who suffer from the same situation.
"Beautifully thorned path" gives voice to Nge Lay and other immigrants. The artist uses various media such as paint, sculpture, textiles and leather, which she meticulously weaves together to create works filled with symbols. These symbols are imbued with history and experience, and each color, material and collage has a particular importance and meaning in the composition.
So, through her art, Nge Lay invites us to witness a part of her intimate memories. She offers us a glimpse of the different paths she has taken, induced by her history and as a result of her current situation. She also encourages us to question ourselves, to ask ultra-personal questions about our condition, our belonging, our way of seeing the world, our approach to life. The road to happiness is not always smooth and quiet. It's strewn with obstacles and thorns, but it's up to us to decide, to choose whether it will make us grow or make us wither.
