"salmon 85"

For me, coming home means returning to the people I love—my family, relatives, friends, neighbors, and colleagues. It’s where I can be myself, unwind, and feel a deep sense of comfort surrounded by familiar faces, laughter, and cherished memories that make me feel whole.

Noah Chan

ARTIST
About the serie

Salmon 85 blends five illustrations, each with its own unique meaning and symbolism, drawing inspiration from the remarkable journey of salmon. They migrate from the ocean yet they never forget to return to their freshwater birthplace. They always find their way back home despite the dangers. Myanmar lives are not much different. During the coup in Myanmar, numerous individuals have resorted to hiding, fleeing, and even migrating to other countries for survival, paralleling the journey of salmon. We departed our homes with the hope of one day returning, yet the path back is fraught with challenges. Like salmon navigating upstream from the ocean through rivers, battling against currents to their spawning grounds, this journey demands immense determination and effort. Predatory bears lie in wait for these fish. Similarly, we, the people of Myanmar, confront the junta from various corners of the globe, each bearing unique responsibilities. Our unified aim is to return to our homeland, to reunite with our families. Our journey, much like that of the salmon, is filled with obstacles, particularly for those at the forefront of the struggle. Despite the hardships, we hold onto the belief that we will soon make our way back home. Each title signifies a pivotal location or destination, mirroring the journey of salmon as they traverse from one place to another, ultimately reaching their final destination. This project pays tribute not just the revolutionaries but also those who have moved abroad to work for their families. Like me, who has moved away from home, it is my hope that these illustrations offer a window into my current struggles and emotions.

10260

Much like a school of salmon, we are all eager to return home, yet we wait patiently for the right moment. My current residence is in the district of Thailand, marked by the postal code 10260. Forced to leave home due to the military coup, I find myself yearning for Myanmar so deeply. This longing is a shared sentiment among every migrant worker, public defense soldier, and every single supporter of the revolution.

SAL85 - 10260 by Noah Chan

2024

Digital Art

10260

Much like a school of salmon, we are all eager to return home, yet we wait patiently for the right moment. My current residence is in the district of Thailand, marked by the postal code 10260. Forced to leave home due to the military coup, I find myself yearning for Myanmar so deeply. This longing is a shared sentiment among every migrant worker, public defense soldier, and every single supporter of the revolution.

SAL85 - 10260 by Noah Chan

2024

Digital Art

10260

Much like a school of salmon, we are all eager to return home, yet we wait patiently for the right moment. My current residence is in the district of Thailand, marked by the postal code 10260. Forced to leave home due to the military coup, I find myself yearning for Myanmar so deeply. This longing is a shared sentiment among every migrant worker, public defense soldier, and every single supporter of the revolution.

SAL85 - 10260 by Noah Chan

2024

Digital Art

00000

The salmon, suspended amidst blossoms, symbolize those we've lost. A longing for home unites us, yet there are those who embarked prematurely on a journey to a distant realm. They are not to be forgotten. In the world of postal codes, no address bears the sequence 00000, signifying that everyone, everywhere, belongs to somewhere specific in our memories.

SAL85 - 0000 by Noah Chan

2024

Digital Art

00000

The salmon, suspended amidst blossoms, symbolize those we've lost. A longing for home unites us, yet there are those who embarked prematurely on a journey to a distant realm. They are not to be forgotten. In the world of postal codes, no address bears the sequence 00000, signifying that everyone, everywhere, belongs to somewhere specific in our memories.

SAL85 - 0000 by Noah Chan

2024

Digital Art

00000

The salmon, suspended amidst blossoms, symbolize those we've lost. A longing for home unites us, yet there are those who embarked prematurely on a journey to a distant realm. They are not to be forgotten. In the world of postal codes, no address bears the sequence 00000, signifying that everyone, everywhere, belongs to somewhere specific in our memories.

SAL85 - 0000 by Noah Chan

2024

Digital Art

11011

A group of salmon struggle to escape from the confines of a fishing net, mirroring the plight of those who were separated from us during times of revolution, and those detained by military forces. Like the salmon, these individuals harbor a patient yet fervent hope to return home and reunite with their families. The postal code 11011 marks the location of Insein, home to the infamous Insein Prison.

SAL85 - 11011 by Noah Chan

2024

Digital Art

11011

A group of salmon struggle to escape from the confines of a fishing net, mirroring the plight of those who were separated from us during times of revolution, and those detained by military forces. Like the salmon, these individuals harbor a patient yet fervent hope to return home and reunite with their families. The postal code 11011 marks the location of Insein, home to the infamous Insein Prison.

SAL85 - 11011 by Noah Chan

2024

Digital Art

11011

A group of salmon struggle to escape from the confines of a fishing net, mirroring the plight of those who were separated from us during times of revolution, and those detained by military forces. Like the salmon, these individuals harbor a patient yet fervent hope to return home and reunite with their families. The postal code 11011 marks the location of Insein, home to the infamous Insein Prison.

SAL85 - 11011 by Noah Chan

2024

Digital Art

SAL85 - 11101 - by Noah Chan

2024

Digital Art

11101

The salmon are on the cusp of reaching home. The passage before them, framed like a square, represents the gateway to their sanctuary. With eyes cast upwards, their yearning echoes our own desires to reclaim our country from the junta's grip. The postal code 11101 marks the artist's township, a place of departure three years ago and the destination of his hopeful return.

SAL85 - 11101 - by Noah Chan

2024

Digital Art

11101

The salmon are on the cusp of reaching home. The passage before them, framed like a square, represents the gateway to their sanctuary. With eyes cast upwards, their yearning echoes our own desires to reclaim our country from the junta's grip. The postal code 11101 marks the artist's township, a place of departure three years ago and the destination of his hopeful return.

SAL85 - 1121 by Noah Chan

2024

Digital Art

1121

Salmon, in their determined journey upstream, confront the river's current head-on. Notably, the Sockeye salmon exhibits extraordinary perseverance, leaping through waterfalls to return to its spawning grounds. This feat, often preceded by several unsuccessful attempts, serves as a poignant parallel to the People’s Defense Force's struggle against the junta across Myanmar. Their quest to create a safe passage home for all mirrors the relentless spirit of the salmon. In this allegory, stairs symbolize the cascading falls that salmon must overcome, representing the formidable obstacles faced and conquered in pursuit of home. 1121 is the postal code for Yangon, where everything begins and ends.

Noah Chan

Channy is passionate digital artist and animation film makers based on Myanmar. With a fascination for storytelling and a flair for visual artistry, he brings the characters and world to life through animation.

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