Chisels carve away sculptors' language barrier

TASHA BLACK

Kapiti artist Bodhi Vincent and Myanmar refugee Tin Aung might seem an unlikely match.

Vincent can't speak Burmese and Aung struggles with English.

The common language they share, however, is carving.

Both men are artists - Vincent usually carves from stone and Aung from wood.

The pair teamed up after support agency Refugee Services contacted Vincent about possible work opportunities for Aung, who moved to New Zealand with his wife and nine year-old daughter last year.

"We are doing a few projects independently and collaboratively to try and make some money, so we can make a fruitful enterprise together," said Vincent.

Aung catches the train and bus out from his home in Cannons Creek to Vincent's waterfront workshop in Raumati South where they chip and hammer away together.

One of their joint projects is a carving of the local seascape on a slab of wood.

Vincent sketched the design and Aung, armed with half a dozen different chisels, is tapping away at it - he expects to have it finished in a week.

Good wood carving is quite rare, and Aung has "incredible skill", said Vincent.

Aung learnt to carve in Myanmar 20 years ago, initially working under a master carver for two years. Piecing together Aung's story is difficult, due to his limited English. However, the Kapiti Observer spoke to friend Tha Meung and Vincent about Aung's background in a country that for over four decades was ruled by a military junta.

"He was a regular man. But he was a supporter of democratic change," said Mr Meung.

Aung belonged to a pro- democratic organisation along the border with Thailand and, while not "deeply" involved, he had been arrested and investigated by the military government, said Mr Meung.

"So he didn't want to live in Burma anymore, he left."

Aung lived in Thailand for 10 years, six of which were spent in a refugee camp. All the while he continued carving. He has not returned home since 2001.

Life in New Zealand is comfortable and he is "very happy" to be here.

Asked what he liked about New Zealand, Aung said: "the government. I like the living system."

For the "foreseeable future" Aung will continue to catch the bus and train out to Vincent's studio to work and both artists will continue to learn from each other.

"Tin brings with him all the wealth of the South East Asian imagery," said Vincent, who describes Aung's style as ornate and drawn from fauna and flora.

"It's a bit of an exercise from my point of view in terms of cultural exchange. Hopefully we can learn from each other in that respect," said Vincent.

"We are just open for any opportunities to give Tin employment."

For commissions, which could include wood work and signage, call Bodhi Vincent 902 4590.

- Kapiti Observer