Eternity, Myanmar by Lisa Kristine - LIMITED EDITION
Eternity, Myanmar by Lisa Kristine - LIMITED EDITION
This stunning photograph from the oeuvre of high-profile photographer and humanitarian, Lisa Kristine, captures a young monk paddling a small boat across the crystal clear water of a lake. The bright red of the monk’s robes in this image provide the only punctuation to the incredibly blue scene. The blending of blue in the water and the sky suggest that the two are not entirely separate, and that the earth feeds into the sky, nuancing the title, ‘eternity’.
There is an incredible sense of stillness to the image, with the figure appearing to merely float above, rather than move across the water’s surface. The image is so tranquil, that it makes the viewer almost want to hold their breath, for fear of disturbing the glassy surface of the water. The stillness and tranquillity of the Burmese monks’ lives is celebrated in this image, but like all of Kristine’s pictures, there is a social message under the surface. Burma is a war-torn country, where human rights violations abound, and it has one of the largest pay gaps worldwide. Despite this strife and inequality, the country is the most devoutly Buddhist place on earth, and its people are driven by their strong beliefs. Every boy must spend time at a monastery, and many choose to remain monks their whole life. The monasteries are havens of tranquillity and piety.
DIMENSIONS: (unframed) 40.0 x 50.0 in./ 101.6 x 127.0 cm
SIGNATURE: Signed and numbered 2/20
MEDIUM: Photograph, archival pigment print on paper
Price: £POA.
Provenance
Acquired directly from the artist
Biography
A master storyteller, Lisa Kristine documents indigenous cultures in more than 100 countries, on six continents, instinctively identifying the universal human dignity in all of us. Awakening compassion and igniting action in a worldwide audience with powerful, broad-sweeping images of courage and suffering, as well as intimate portrayals of human relationships. Lisa’s mission is to elevate the profile of significant social causes; especially that of slavery. Her work touches the viewer’s heart, and moves us to act. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who has endorsed Lisa’s work, said of her photographs that;
“We see dignity despite the dire and desperate circumstances. Her work commands a respectful connection between the viewer and the subject, insisting we acknowledge the plights of those in bondage, and allowing us to raise a hand to help.”
Lisa was the sole exhibitor at the 2009 Vancouver Peace Summit, attended by His Holiness the Dalai Lama and other prominent Nobel Prize winners. Lisa has enabled facilitated change for many of the causes that she champions. Christie’s New York, in celebration with Kofi Annan, has auctioned her images to benefit the United Nations. Furthermore, the Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the Queen Mother of Bhutan and Amnesty International, have all both endorsed her work.
In 2013, Lisa was the recipient for the Lucie Foundation’s 2013 Humanitarian Award that recognizes achievements of master photographers. Her photographs inspired the Make a Stand Lemonade movement, which has raised more than a million US dollars and has enlightened the awareness of over 100 million people towards the cause for eradication of modern day slavery. In December 2014 she was invited to the Vatican to join Pope Francis and 25 of the world’s faith leaders who signed the declaration to eradicate slavery by 2020.
Lisa has gained broad recognition for her collaboration with the NGO Free the Slaves. Her breath-taking body of slavery related photographic work; is brought together in ‘Slavery,’ published in 2010. Lisa has received global attention for shining a light on contemporary slavery across media platforms, including CNN and Reuters, speaking at TED events, museums, NGO’s, business conferences, colleges and universities. Her countless accolades and achievements are testament to the beauty of the photographs she takes, as well as the power of her humanitarian work. She has published 5 books and has been the subject of 4 documentaries. Her work on Slavery has been featured in three films released in 2014. One of these films, SOLD the movie, made by Oscar Award winning team, Emma Thompson and Jeffrey Brown, includes a character inspired by Lisa and played by Gillian Anderson.
Lisa Kristine’s work not only brings taboo social atrocities to light, but also has a softer side. Images such as this one provide a window into some of the most beautiful places on earth, the traditions of indigenous cultures, and are always a celebration of colour.