John Lyons: Burma...Carrying the Embers of Hope

Photography monograph for John Lyons / Partners Asia

Texts by John Lyons, Sally Kantor, and Eileen Moncoeur

From the introduction by John Lyons:

Few times in my life have I ever had an experience as exhilarating as my first trip to Burma. I felt an immediate connection to the people and the land. Having been instructed to remain relatively inconspicuous meant traveling with minimal equipment, no set-up time, and no waiting for the right light. It was get a photo and move on. The array of colors, from the robes in the monasteries to the spices in the market, was breathtaking. There was a photo waiting to be taken in every direction. At that time, the Burmese saw very few Americans and were extremely interested in the “big white guy.” So much so, that one family asked me to hold their son for a picture. In the urban areas, I was struck by the uniqueness and variety of architecture dating from the days of Colonial occupation to the more modern Chinese influence. As the urban areas were noisy and crowded, the countryside was idyllic with vast expanses of rice fields and the occasional village. Over the years, we traveled the country from Myitkyina in the Kachin State, the furthest point north, to Kawthoung, including the Mergui Archipelago, in the Tanintharyi Division, the furthest point south. I will be forever grateful to Partners Asia for the opportunity to witness and document the phenomenal work of the Foundation. This book has provided me an opportunity to revisit, through photos, the country and the people, who hold a special place in my heart. Hopefully, it will provide you with a glimpse of a culture that, despite all obstacles and adversities, remains vibrant.

194 pages
14 x 11 inches