Myanmar and its magical colours

A Myanmar artist  who stands tall on the international stage is Min Wai Aung.
His paintings of monks, nuns and lay people travelling together exalt Myanmar culture in colour combinations rarely seen in Western art.
With a recent one-man show at the New Treasure Gallery in Golden Valley, Bahan Township, Yangon, Min Wai Aung shares his philosophy and explains the theme of his newest paintings.

WHAT’S THIS SHOW ABOUT?
After my last exhibition, in Singapore in 2011, I did a lot of travelling, and on my journeys I thought a lot about my fellow travellers. I was interested in their reasons for travelling, and that became the theme of my new paintings.

MANY OF THEM SHOW PEOPLE IN SHINING SILHOUETTE. WHAT’S THE INTENT OF THE EFFECT?
Everyone has his own radiance, not just kings and rich people but everyone. And then there’s the heat. I wanted to distinctly show the heat that comes out of people who are struggling for food and shelter.

WHAT KIND OF MESSAGE DO YOU TRY TO CONVEY IN YOUR WORK?
An artist enjoys the process of creation first and foremost. The message is different from one person to another, depending on the depth of his vision. But, instead of telling people how to view the work, it’s better for viewers to just enjoy the art by themselves.

AS A SUCCESSFUL ARTIST INTERNATIONALLY, HOW DO YOU REGARD MYANMAR ART?
The main thing is to have your own style and present what you know honestly. I mostly draw pictures of my country, the landscapes and the people. That’s what I present around the world.

WHY DO YOU HAVE MORE EXHIBITIONS OVERSEAS THAN LOCALLY?
Before I display a new series overseas, I show them locally. If I have four new series, I hold four exhibitions here. It only seems like I have more overseas exhibitions because I have so many shows in foreign countries every year.

CAN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE ACCOMMODATE YOUR BELIEF IN ART?
Unlike other kinds of art, painting can only be done by one person. An artist is happy when he’s satisfied with his creation. It’s very fortunate when an artist can afford to live on the income from his paintings. I’m very glad about that.

WHAT DO YOU TELL YOUNGER PEOPLE YOU MEET?
Youth should live according to their own style, and with honesty.