"With this caricature of Zarganar, I have tried to capture his humorous nature, positive energy and his kindness. He sets a strong example with his willingness to surmount fear and concern for his own wellbeing in order to simply do the right thing. Zarganar reminds us that,
'In order for evil to exist it requires only that good men do nothing.'"
"Here is a man leaping forward, with great enthusiasm and good humor, to assist his fellow citizens, using his tweezers to extract fear from their lives and to help them in times of trouble.
He calls to us to follow him."
jim mcnalis
May 2011
HEROES NOT PRISONERS
The repeated arrests of Zarganar and his colleagues by the military regime that rules Myanmar again reminds us of the pathetic futility of SPDC to weaken or silence their opposition. These arrests reinforce the reputation of the demonstrators as heroes rather than prisoners. The cause of the demonstrators is just and is backed by a moral superiority that the generals seem incapable of understanding. Certain of the nobility and justice of their cause, these peaceful warriors continually demonstrate their "freedom from fear". Rather than silencing this voice for right, with each arrest, the regime guarantees the demonstrators another fusillade of international press. The regime becomes complicit in broadcasting the injustice of their aims. So it is time again to salute these noble and inspiring warriors who continue to provide a voice for the people of Burma. They deserve the respect and support of good people everywhere. It is with this in mind that I have created this sculpture of Zarganar to add to the gallery of Burma's Heroes.
