News and Views
Arker Kyaw: Graffiti Artist
Arker Kyaw, Myanmar's most famous graffiti artist, was recently at River Gallery transforming our walls with his spray cans. See him in action in the link below and read about this extraordinary young artist in the attached write up.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=556771787760681&set=vb.276219675815895&type=2&theaterModernist Pioneer Win Pe painting up a storm back in Yangon
I visited Win Pe in his studio the other day to see what was keeping him busy these days, and to feast my eyes on the recent works of this prolific artist. Win Pe was one of the brightest stars of the Modernist movement back in the seventies, but after 1988 he found it increasingly difficult to pursue his cultural interests which included film making and writing, so he emigrated to the US where he became a radio journalist, openly critical of the regime back in Myanmar. As a result. he was not able to travel back to Myanmar until the new reform minded government came to power in 2011. He came off the blacklist and returned to Yangon in 2013.
Being back in his home environment has inspired an intense bout of creativity, and Win Pe has been painting steadily since he returned. When I commented on his productivity, he replied that even though he was old (almost 80 now), he still painted like a young man. He was right - the works have a fresh sharpness which hints at someone at the height of their creative powers, not an elderly man in his sunset years.
He is busy with commissions these days, but he said that after these he would start painting again what most pleased him. We both agreed that he needed to become a selfish old painter, and do what he liked. He told me that the most important part of marketing a painting was the first stage: marketing it to himself. If he doesn't "buy" the story of the painting, he doesn't think others will either.
In the gallery, we're lucky to have a number of canvases in his current Zodiac series. He told me this theme doesn't hold any special significance for him, but it is excellent as a platform for playing with color and compositional elements. We hope to stage an exhibition for him in River II over the next few months, and will keep you posted on dates.
Artist Htein Lin returns to street art
Htein Lin has hit the streets of Yangon, creating his signature finger and body paintings outside a new shopping center in Yangon. He became "fond" of painting without brushes during his six year stint in prison in Myanmar. Friends and jailers managed to smuggle in paint, but no brushes were allowed, so he used whatever was at hand.
Artist Myo Khin's new Book
One of Myanmar's most acclaimed abstract artists, Myo Khin has just published a book about his artistic career and his philosophy of art. A bi-lingual publication, it provides a unique insight into one of Myanmar's most thoughtful and thought-provoking artists.
Myat Kyawt returns to River Gallery
Artist Myat Kyawt is never one to rest on his laurels. Continually exploring new concepts and themes, this jovial artist is one of our most creative talents. He won third place in our National Portrait Competition in 2011 with a whimsical painting of fellow artist Win Pe Myint and his wife, seen below. We're delighted to report that he is now back at River Gallery with a new series of paintings featuring the trees of Myanmar, imbued with a kindly spirit, sheltering and embracing Myanmar people going about their everyday life. To see all these works, please visit the Artists section.
