Antara is a visual monograph that depicts the Burmese Buddhist ceremony of Shinbyu. This religious and cultural rite of passage is told through my half Burmese son's Buddhist initiation ceremony for novice monks in his father's village, which is located in a remote destination in the far north of Myanmar. Yarrow, born in Yangon during the year of the Saffron Revolution has grown up living between two very different countries, that of America and that of Myanmar. Together, mother and son explore how this dynamic has shaped his outlook on his young life so far.
Antara is an exploration that deals with the intersection of countries, culture, and family. It is a celebration of lineage and tradition, while also embracing the art of one’s individuality and diversity.
•This gallery displays, but a few of the images in my book. As a conscious decision related to my artistic integrity and my lack of interest in the commercialization of my personal experience, I have decided to publish only 26 books, no more, no less.
The 7 X 7 (18 X 18 cm) monograph Author & Illustrator: Bethanie Mitchell ISBN: 978-0578719238 Published 2020 Self-Published by Bethanie Mitchell of Naga publications. Hardcover, Linen Pages 126