Kaung Kyaw Khine
Kaung Kyaw Khine was born in Sittwe, Rakhine in 1982. His father is a former art teacher and his mother is a school teacher.
After finishing high school, he attended Yangon State School of Fine Arts in 2003. After graduating in 2006, he devoted himself to the arts. He is obsessed with the auspicious drums of Rakhine. His “Melodious Plane, and Still Motion” series had shown how much he is obsessed with Rakhine Drums. He has also taught how to play Rakhine drums and has played them at many Rakhine traditional ceremonies.
“Our Rakhine culture is incomplete without these drums. We include drums in all kinds of occasions, from social celebrations to athletic events. The Rakhine drum is at the heart of our culture. I grew up with drums, given that my father is an artist, dancer, and musician. Perhaps this is why drums influence my psyche so heavily. This has translated into my paintings. I paint them out of a desire to share Rakhine traditions with others.” the artist explains.
He is adept at playing the Rakhine drum. He inherited his love for this instrument from his father. He is currently passing on this talent to a small group of Rakhine living in Yangon.
Since he is a Rakhine dance teacher, drum master, and painter who is also addicted to poetry, the rhythms and waves that flow in his blood and skin are also beautiful. Besides, the signs he uses on drums are also signs of the historic belief of Rakhine.
His “Memories of mural” series is more about the Buddha’s teaching and peace which is why he uses cool and calm colors.
His “At the tea shop” series expresses his view on how the tea shops and the people in Myanmar are related through social, cultural, and daily lives.
His “Waiting for” series” is about those who are waiting for better health, better education, a better economy, and better life in uncertainties.
His work is well-recognized because of his strong lines and brushes that express the strong feeling and emotions of the figures in his paintings.
He has done three solo exhibitions locally and his work has been displayed in many shows locally and internationally in Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Paris, New Zealand, and the US.