Work by Helen Bur for the 2019 edition of Beyond Walls in Lynn, MA.
In the artists’ words: “This is a portrait of my Grandma Eve holding some leaflets that were bought back from Thailand by my Grandpa David where he was held as a Prisoner of War in Nong Pladuk camp between 1943-45 during WW2. He had persuaded the POW commandant to release his group from work on the Thailand-Burma railway, later known as death railway, so they could create theatrical / musical performances on a hand built bamboo stage, in a bid to keep up spirits in the desperate and squalid camp conditions. The last picture shows one of the original leaflets depicting a caricature of my grandpa by Jan van Holthe. This little piece of salvaged history is a reminder of how even in the most horrific situation, creativity can provide a vital lifeline or a mode of survival.”
