JASON FLORIO: Burma Freedom Fighters

KNLA - Karen National Liberation Army
Freedom Fighter and Film Maker
Photograph (c) Jason Florio/All rights reserved

Retired KNLA -
Karen National Liberation Army Freedom Fighter
Photograph (c) Jason Florio/All rights reserved

KNLA - Karen National Liberation Army
Freedom Fighter and Medic
who lost his leg after stepping on a land mine
Photograph (c) Jason Florio/All rights reserved

I have been arrested by the Taliban...ridden into far-flung Afghan valleys in search of nomads with mujaheddin as my security, dressed as a woman to cross a border, was at the foot of the Twin Towers as they collapsed, enjoyed the 'comforts' of a Cuban hospital, hunted bats in Surinam, chatted with Somali pirates over Coke and biscuits and danced like a fiend in Beirut nightclubs...among other things – Jason Florio

JASON FLORIO was born in London and relocated to the USA in 1987. He moved to NYC to pursue photography after seeing Richard Avedon's In The American West exhibition. "Florio photographed freedom fighters and civilians who struggled for independence in the Karen State of Burma, along the Thailand border in what is now the world’s longest ongoing conflict. The ill-equipped people have been fighting for an independent homeland against the ruling Burmese military government. “The Karen people have been locked in a David-and-Goliath conflict with a powerful authoritarian regime that seeks to push the Karen people off the map.” reports the award-winning photographer. Self -funded, he decided to bring the under reported struggle for survival against the brutal junta, to a wider audience."' – Gallery

JASON FLORIO
Portraits from the Jungles of Burma
Messineo Art Projects Wyman Contemporary
March 8 – May 4th
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Jason's Makasutu: Mecca In The Forest Project