Myint Swe at work inside his new studio in North Dagon township. Pic: Aye Zaw Myo

AFTER five years of searching for a place to display the paintings of Myanmar’s most promising talents, artist Myint Swe has finally settled on a studio in North Dagon township for his new Vision Art Gallery.

Formerly in Golden Valley for eight years before being forced out when the location was sold, Myint Swe has recreated a hub for artists and art lovers and has already recruited 50 artists as members of the new gallery, where 15 are currently displaying their work.

He said the location is not ideal, but when the art is good and respected, people will follow.

“I know it is far away from the other galleries around Bogyoke market, but I intend the gallery to be for art dealers and people who know their art,” said Myint Swe. “And this is not just a gallery; it is a studio for artists to work in.”

Although it is still under construction, the gallery and studio is open to the public, with a wide range of local and international art on display. From avante garde to abstract, the idea of Vision is to give the art lover a glimpse of different forms of painting and also give new and talented artists some exposure.

“I want to help young artists who are struggling to make a name for themselves here, and also to give the more experienced ones a good place to come to.”
To do this, he is also setting up a website for the gallery, where paintings will be featured online to make them more accessible to the world.

Myint Swe knows all too well how hard it can be when you have financial problems.

Born in Rakhine state, U Myint Swe found it difficult to make a name for himself in Yangon. His parents feared that their arts graduate son could not live on his paintings alone and forced him get a full-time office job. In 1993, the artist finally broke free of his shackles and began working as a full-time artist.

He said as an artist he is able to paint in both conservative and modern styles by having the ability to paint by vision, a conservative technique, and by idea, a modern technique. This is a quality he now values in other painters.

“I have faced a lot of challenges throughout my career but I didn’t just give up and carry on doing something I didn’t want to do,” he said. “I have devoted my whole life to painting. I might stop for some time due to family matters, but I have always been loyal to art and I always will be.”

What:	Vision Art Gallery
Where:	1251 Min Ye Kyaw Swar Rd. Ward 43 North Dagon Tsp, Yangon
When:	Open every day from 9am to late