Art as voice: Exploring the cultural expression of stateless Rohingyas

The Rohingya refugees are a minority group that escaped to Bangladesh from Myanmar as a result of persecution and violence. This article explores diverse forms of Rohingya art that amplify their voices and addresses barriers artists face in producing and disseminating art. This article exclusively focuses on the art created by refugees themselves. The empirical data derives from in-depth interviews with Rohingya artists, researchers, and practitioners; field visits to Rohingya camps; and examination of social media. The findings reveal that Rohingya's most prevalent art forms are poetry, song, paintings, murals, and photography. Rohingya artistic expressions carry messages of trauma, love, life in Myanmar, and eagerness to return to their homeland. Rohingya artists face significant barriers in their communities, including cultural and social resistance, trauma-induced withdrawal from art, limited access to materials, and challenges in effectively disseminating their artworks.