RANGOON — Aung Myint is known as the father of contemporary art in his country, and his painting series “Mother and Child” made him the first Burmese artist to win the Asean Art Awards in 2002.
He has become an inspiration for younger artists, not only for his paintings, but also for his performance art and installations.
In his 14th solo show in Rangoon, titled “14 A.M,” Aung Myint is featuring a new series of paintings called “Faces” and some installation art work. In the 18 paintings that he completed in 2013 and 2014, the artist offers a reflection in black, white and red colors on the trauma of a changing populace that is opening up to the world for the first time in decades.
“I’m afraid to use other colors because I don’t know how to use them. If I use them wrong, I would feel bad,” the 68-year-old artist said.
He is drawn to black and white because he believes the colors are attractive and easily convey a message. He sometimes uses red for composition.
“I’m not a good painter,” he added.
Nathalie Johnston, director of exhibitions at Pun+ Projects, which organized the show, said she has known Aung Myint for five years, and that he has not had any solo shows in Rangoon since about 2005.
She said every artist she meets in the city refers to him as Saya, the Burmese word for master. “I feel very honored to be showing his work,” she added.
Aung Myint has staged more than 60 shows in Burma and several foreign countries, including Japan, Singapore, Germany, the Netherlands, Great Britain and Finland. His works were also exhibited and collected by the Guggenheim Museum in New York.
His latest show will be on view from Aug. 15 to Sept. 20 at TS.1 Gallery on Lanthit Jetty, Seikkan Township, in Rangoon.
