Burmese contemporary art

Burma (Myanmar) is a country in Southeast Asia which has endured isolation for the last four decades. It is also a country with deep rooted Buddhist beliefs. The contemporary art scene in the country reflects these facts and the art is often related to Buddhism and the difficult socio-political situation. In this age of globalization, Myanma art has developed rather on its own terms.

At first, tradition to new, oriental to western art change by Ba Nyan and Ba Zaw who painting in England Art School in their paintings. They are pioneer of academic art in Myanmar. Later, most of their students are arisen in this land as an art master.

U Lun Gywe [ U Lun Gywe - A Master Painter from Myanmar, 2005, Thavibu Gallery, ISBN 9749290569 ] is 77 years old and the undisputed old master of Myanma painting. He has been the mentor of many younger generations of artists. U Lun Gywe is a master with colours, often in an impressionistic manner, and is particularly fond of painting the beauty of women. His works are represented in the National Museum of Myanmar and the National Art Gallery of Malaysia.

Aung Kyaw Htet is 42 years old and is a devout Buddhist who grew up in a small village -- two factors which have a strong influence on his art. His paintings of religious life in Myanma show monks and nuns in a realistic manner, though non-essential objects are omitted from the paintings in order to focus on the religious aspects. Aung Kyaw Htet paints the faces of monks and nuns in great detail to show their humanity. His works are represented in the National Museum of Myanmar and the National Art Gallery of Malaysia.

After 1990, the country opened the closed-door. Some gallery emerged mainly in Yangon and many artists exhibited their works there not only for souvenir but also their experimental. Some are changed their style to modern trend or contemporary.

Now there are many contemporary artists such as Po Po who well-known artist above all. Po Po (b 1957) lives and work in Yangon. Art studied himself (he called self-taught) and working with various mediums especially in installation. He has staged solo exhibitions since 1987; they include “Untitled” and “Solid Concept” among many other. He has participated in Kwangju Biennale 2000, the Flying Circus Project 2004 and Yokohama Triennale 2005.

Wah Nu was born in Yangon in 1977, launched herself on an artistic career after graduating from University of Culture, Yangon in 1998 where she majored in music. Since then she has developed a personal expression by mainly adopting painting and video as media. In 2004, she held the exhibition “Cloud Department” in Yangon. That is her first solo exhibition and then 2005, “Self-Identity” second in gallery Art-U room [http://www.art-u-room.com/wahnu/wahnu.html] , Tokyo. She showed in group exhibition included Bangladesh Biennale 2004, Fukuoka Triennale 2005 [http://www.faam.city.fukuoka.jp] and Another Seven Artists in Yangon 2008.

Beside, most of the young artists who were born in the 70’s are run in Myanmar contemporary art scene with strong believe. The Maw Naing, Moe Satt and Aung Ko are some of the promising artists. If I say you more, the famous contemporary artists in dim land of world art scene; MSO (Maung San Oo), Than Htay Maung, San Minn, Chan Aye and so on. . .

References

http://www.art-u-room.com/wahnu/wahnu.htmlhttp://www.hirvikatu10.net/artstreammyanmar/index.php?page=contemporary-visual-arts

External links

* National Art Gallery of Malaysia [http://www.artgallery.gov.my/mod_com/index.php]
* Fukuoka Asian Art Museum [http://faam.city.fukuoka.jp/eng/home.html]
* Singapore Art Museum [http://www.nhb.gov.sg/SAM]