HOUSE OF THE WEEK
An abundance of space at FMI City
CERTAINLY, space is not a problem in this house – once you get there. Over the Hlaing River, 45 minutes from downtown, there is a large one-storey house in a big compound waiting for someone ready to trade time for space. ...moreMyanmar art scene thrives on contemporary art
The above picture is a detail of three paintings by artist Thein Htay. Contemporary art is increasingly popular in Myanmar, with many artists trained in a more realist style, venturing into more abstract forms. UNLIKE many other creative industries in Myanmar, in particular music and film, the art scene would appear to be thriving, with contemporary art leading the way.
In Yangon’s Pansodan gallery, established in 2008, only contemporary artwork is exhibited.
“We only exhibit modern pieces because we don’t want our visitors and customers to experience a different style each visit,” said Ko Yan Naung Oo, the gallery manager.
“I prefer supporting new artists rather than chasing after famous ones,” he added.
The other major exhibitor of contemporary artworks is New Zero Art Space, which also opened in 2008, and focuses on young and emerging talent through exhibitions and classes.
“In my gallery, we exhibit modernism and contemporary art because they are less well known than other styles and cheaper,” said Ko Aye Ko, one of the founders of New Zero Art Space in Yangon.
The gallery mostly served to exhibit students enrolled in its courses in 2009 although in 2010 it will expand access and provide gallery space free of charge to other contemporary artists, said Ko Aye Ko.
In Yangon alone there are over 50 galleries, ranging from the small house-based operations in Bahan township to the larger galleries based downtown.
Myanmar artists are continuing to exhibit and sell their work abroad, with contemporary works enjoying some success. This is inspiring more and more artists to cross over into modernist painting, believes Ko Aye Ko.
In the past many artists relied on sales of their work abroad or to tourists for the majority of their income, however, there are signs that the domestic market may be picking up as savvy art lovers begin to see the value of Myanmar art both as home decoration and investment opportunity.
“Even the gem collectors are coming to purchase paintings; it is good for the art world,” said Ko Yan Naung Oo.
Although there were plenty of exhibitions in 2009, artist Soe Moe does not believe that this is a useful measure of the health of the art industry. He thinks it is more important to consider what is being produced than focusing on the notoriously fickle market.
While group exhibitions are continuing to dominate the art landscape from students to established artists, solo exhibitions are also becoming increasingly popular as are retrospectives of old masters organised by their former students.
