Artist stories

Stories of artists at risk from around the world who have received support from ARC.

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Myanmar, {Burma} - Visual ArtistBart Was Not Here
Chad - DancerTaigué AhmedTaigué Ahmed–a world-renowned choreographer, dancer, and cultural activist from Chad–had a realization that would change his life and his work: Movement could be a salvation, a remedy for even the most enduring of traumas. 
Hong Kong - PlaywrightFranki C.Franki Cheung, born in Hong Kong, is a Taiwan-based playwright and interdisciplinary artist whose creative work lies at the intersection of theatre, performance, and activism. 
Nigeria - Musician, SingerDJ SwitchNigerian performing artist, disc jockey, and activist DJ Switch played a prominent role during the 2020 #EndSARS protests in Nigeria. 
United States - Visual ArtistDread ScottDread Scott makes revolutionary art to propel history forward. He first received national attention in 1989 when his art became the center of controversy over its transgressive use of the American flag while he was a student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
India - FilmmakerLeena ManimekalaiLeena Manimekalai is an Indian filmmaker, poet and an actor. Her works include five published poetry anthologies and several films in genres, documentary, fiction and experimental poem films.
Zimbabwe - Director, PerformerDaniel MaposaShort biography of Daniel Maposa followed by interview conducted with ARC
Cuba - MultidisciplinaryLuis Manuel Otero AlcántaraCuban artist Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara uses protest and dissent as central tenets to his practice as an artist.
Sudan - CartoonistOsman ObaidOsman Obaid's cartoons are employed as a means to shed light on oppression and hold those accountable in Sudan and the world.
Russia - Director, Playwright, PoetZhenya BerkovichRussian theatre director, playwright, and poet Zhenya Berkovich uses art to support freedom of artistic expression, those who remain in Russia, and those who were forced to emigrate. 
 - Painter, WriterZehra DoğanZehra Doğan paints scenes of war and Kurdish life. Accused of working with the PKK, she founded the newspaper Özgür Gündem Zindan while imprisoned in Turkey. 
Mexico - MultidisciplinaryPH JoelPH Joel is a Tseltal Maya artist from the Lacandon Jungle in Chiapas, Mexico. Working across various mediums, his art embodies a deep connection to indigenous memory, oral history, and the resistance of his people
Colombia - Musician, RapperJota RamosAfro-Colombian rapper, activist, and human rights defender Jota Ramos uses indigenous musical elements to represent the realities of the working class. 
Chile - PerformerLASTESISLASTESIS is a feminist art and performance collective from Valparaiso, Chile.
Mexico - FilmmakerSaúl KakThe work of visual artist and filmmaker Saúl Kak explores themes such as forced migration and the mechanisms of oppression used against indigenous peoples.
Nicaragua - Musician, SingerLudwing GómezLudwing Gómez is a Nicaraguan musician exiled in Costa Rica and a founding member of Ximena, a band that fuses Latin and Spanish rhythms.