The term overcoming dictator is an action-packed title to pop up today when many Maldivians are attempting to do just that. A fact is Gayoom who has been in power in the country for 30 years will not leave easily and nor will his family let go the wealth and power they have always enjoyed. We see this now, all his brothers and children strategising in every way they can to uphold the dictatorship and to control the lives of those on the island state. It is sickening to realise how dirty he is.

The title for this post though is borrowed from an exhibition that is being held at University of Birmingham called ‘overcoming dictator’. The exhibition explores art produced in response to the collapse of political authoritarian systems. The 17 pieces deal with processes of mourning, remembering and overcoming the past. I photographed a few and you can view them here.