Artist Cian Dayrit arrested during land rights protest in the Philippines
On June 9, police apprehended Cian Dayrit in Concepcion, Tarlac, during a forceful dispersal of a collective farming event held by MAKISAMA-Tinang to mark the 34th anniversary of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. Authorities arrested 91 participants, with 83 facing charges of illegal assembly and malicious mischief. A cooperative associated with a prominent politician, who is challenging the farmers' land claims, called in local officials. Dayrit's artwork, such as the 2018 creation Tree of Death and Decay, explores themes of colonialism, capitalism, and land rights. His pieces have been showcased at the Biennale of Sydney, Kathmandu Triennale, New Museum Triennial, Berlin Biennale, and Gwangju Biennale.
Key facts
- Cian Dayrit was arrested on June 9 in Concepcion, Tarlac province, Philippines
- The arrest occurred during a protest by peasant group MAKISAMA-Tinang marking the 34th anniversary of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program
- 91 people were arrested, with charges filed against 83 for illegal assembly and malicious mischief
- Police were called by a cooperative controlled by a local politician disputing land claims
- Dayrit's embroidery work addresses land rights, colonialism, and capitalism
- His 2018 work Tree of Death and Decay features stitched annotations like 'captive market' and 'imperialism'
- Dayrit's work is currently in the Biennale of Sydney and was recently shown at the Kathmandu Triennale
- He has participated in the New Museum Triennial, Berlin Biennale, and Gwangju Biennale
Entities
Artists
- Cian Dayrit
Institutions
- MAKISAMA-Tinang
- Biennale of Sydney
- Kathmandu Triennale
- New Museum Triennial
- Berlin Biennale
- Gwangju Biennale
- TL Magazine
Locations
- Concepcion
- Tarlac province
- Philippines
- Nepal
- Sydney
- Berlin
- Gwangju