U Tun Win shows his copper table lamp. Pic: Shwe Yinn Mar Oo

FIVE pieces of traditional artwork from Myanmar will be displayed at the ASEAN Award of Excellence in Arts and Crafts exhibition in Bangkok on March 10 and 11, said Daw Nu Mra Zan, the director of the Department of Cultural Institute under the Ministry of Culture.

“We chose these works from more than 30 entries that were submitted to us and gave FEC100 as a prize to each of the five artists who created them,” she said.

She said U Aung Thwin, the retired director of the Department of Fine Arts, will carry the artworks to Thailand and represent Myanmar at the exhibition, which is organised by the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (ASEAN-COCI) in Bangkok.

The selected works include a table lamp made from copper wire and designed to look like a lotus flower, made by U Tun Win; a gem painting by U Yin Htway; a necklace made from petrified wood by Ma Thandar Hlaing; a copper teapot by U Ye Nyunt; and a tea set made from coconut husks by U Wunna Kyaw. The pieces were on display at the National Museum in Yangon from February 18 to 24.

“ASEAN-COCI will not only choose the best artworks from among those submitted by all ASEAN countries but they will also pick the best piece from each country, so at least one of the participants from Myanmar will get a prize of US$1000,” Daw Nu Mra Zan said.

U Tun Win, who spent a week making his copper table lamp, said he took part in the exhibition at the urging of a friend.

“My creation can be used as a table lamp in foreign countries while Buddhists can use it for offering light to Buddha images,” said U Tun Win, who owns Sacca Traditional Artistical Metal Handweaving in Mingalardon township, Yangon.

ASEAN-COCI promotes traditional handicrafts in the region by giving awards for outstanding works of art from member countries.