Win Soe Possibly 1997 - 2002

Chan Chao made this photographic portrait, Win Soe, using film photography, a medium he often employs to capture the dignity and resilience of individuals. Look at the verdant greens of the background, which contrast with the pale blue fabric wrapped around Win Soe’s waist, and the warm tones of his skin. The photograph has a textured quality, a result of the film grain, which lends the image a tactile depth. The soft focus makes you want to reach out and touch it. Consider the way Win Soe holds the tool over his shoulder – it speaks to labor, to a life lived in close connection with the land. But look closer. The way he holds his body, the calm look in his eyes, transcends the context of labor. Chao’s work reminds me of the portraits of August Sander, who aimed to document a cross-section of German society. Both artists capture something essential about humanity, revealing the quiet strength and beauty found in everyday life. There's ambiguity here, a space for multiple readings of identity, work, and resilience.