RENOWNED and emerging artists showcase their works at Yangon’s historic Secretariat Building (former Ministers’ Office) on Theinbyu Road in Botahtaung Township, offering visitors a serene space to appreciate art.
Inside the gallery, the paintings are arranged and displayed with lighting and shading appropriate to the artistic works. Two adjoining galleries are being presented- one dedicated exclusively to paintings by the great artist, U Hlaing Bwa, and the other featuring works by promising painters.
“Through the book ‘A Life in Impression,’ we have brought together artworks created based on U Hlaing Bwa’s use of colour, light and emotions. Each work presents the artist’s own perspective, use of colour and way of seeing and experiencing things differently,” said an in-charge person of Shwe Yun Thar Art Gallery.
The paintings by Sayagyi U Hlaing Bwa displayed at the gallery are mainly viewed and appreciated by middle-aged and older art enthusiasts, while young people study the works of young painters and take photographs of the artworks.
Sayagyi U Hlaing Bwa painted not only human figures but also scenes of Bagan pagodas and landscapes. Before painting, he would calculate the tone key and colour key, and even the brushwork, and would consider the requirements of the completed painting. He was known for being particular about his work and would only be satisfied when he had completed a painting to his liking. His paintings are currently priced at between K30 million and more than K50 million per work.
“If you look at Degas, his paintings are not overly washed out. The way he handled the closed and open areas was very good. There was also a lot of subtlety. Even the way he arranged the colours was excellent. When you look at Degas’ paintings, his nude works are also very good. The way he systematically arranged the colours and tone keys is impressive. Those are the elements that stimulate the senses,” said U Hlaing Bwa in his book.
Sixty paintings by U Hlaing Bwa are being displayed in the gallery, while another 60 paintings by other artists are being exhibited in the adjoining gallery. Works by a renowned painter are featured for one month at a time.
Some of the paintings are not for sale but are displayed exclusively so that they may remain in the minds of visitors as lasting impressions. Some of the paintings on display are older works collected and purchased from well-known Myanmar artists. The gallery owner, who has a strong appreciation for Myanmar culture, is making efforts to showcase Myanmar and Chinese paintings not only in China but also at international art exhibitions. — Thitsa (MNA)/KTZH
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