Living as a punk in Burma is not only a lifestyle or just a copy of Western trends, it is an act of rebellion. Kyaw Kyaw, 26, has decided to become a punk to protest against the political and economical situation in his country.
„In Burma I only have freedom of mind“, says Kyaw Kyaw. „The new government is mostly made up of members of the former military junta. The change to democracy is just a change in words not a real change.“ Kyaw Kyaw is the lead singer of the band Rebel Riot, he founded in 2007. He is attracted to punk music, because he likes the disrespectful words of the songs and because the music offers him a way to tackle the problems in Burmese society.
Every monday evening Kyaw Kyaw and his punk friends arrange „Food not Bombs“. They go together through Yangon to hand out food donations to homeless people. “We don’t need war. We need food and Human Rights. I can’t change the world or Burma, but I can at least influence the people around me“, he says. „The people have two eyes, but they use only one.“
Sandra Hoyn was born in 1976 in Wolfenbüttel, Germany. She studied photography at the University of Applied Sciences Hamburg, Germany and graduated in 2005. She started working as freelance photojournalist for magazines and on her own photo-stories concentrated on social issues and human rights. Since 2007 she is represented by laif, agency for photos and reports.
Awards and nominations
2013 PWP – International Professional Women Photographers, 3rd prize category Daily Life
2013 Henri Nannen Award, category Photo Reportage
2013 IPA – International Photography Awards, honorable mentions
2013 Px3 – Prix de la Photographie, 2 bronze medals: Professional Press Feature and Portrait
2013 Robert Bosch Foundation, scholarship for research project
2012 IPA – International Photography Awards, 2nd place in category Professional Editorial Sports
2012 Px3 – Prix de la Photographie, 3 silver medals: Professional Press Feature, Nature and Sports
2012 KL International Photo Awards shortlisted category Portrait
2011 VG Bild-Kunst Scholarship
2011 Nomination St. Leopold Award
2009 Media Award Kindernothilfe
2007 VG Bild-Kunst Scholarship
2005 Nomination Joop Swart Masterclass
2004 Kodak Young Talent Award
