Zaw Win Pe adds the finishing touches. Pic: Myanmar Times

A star of Myanmar’s art scene, Zaw Win Pe was the winner of the inaugural Myanmar Contemporary Art Awards in 2004. Most recently a visiting delegation form the Singapore Museum secured the purchase of a painting by Zaw Win Pe through River Gallery. Participating in this years competition, here he shares some of his life with us.

What made you into the artist that you are today?
I always had a major craving for drawing and painting. It was always part of my life as a child. I drew paintings depicting the environment around me. In 1982 I entered the Yangon School of Fine Arts here I developed my skills and set upon the path I am still walking today.

Is it difficult balancing artistic vision with commercial interests?
I am always in two minds about what painting I am doing. Fortunately I have achieved some success with my more creative painting so I am not always tied to the commercial side. I have been able to show abroad in many different countries and the work has generally been received well. That being said, there is definitely a need for commercial work as it provides more financial reward for Myanmar artists. The tourist market demands it.

When painting, how much is planned and how much just flows naturally?
First of all, I need to be in the right place mentally before I create new work. I often travel and document what I see in different formats. I look back at these images and find inspiration. Once the process is underway it generally just flows naturally.

You are the 2004 Myanmar Contemporary Arts Award winner. Was this a memorable event?
It was a great event and all the work was amazing. I was very lucky to walk away with the prize that night. But more than that, it really gave me great exposure and allowed me to build my career up from this success.

Are you influenced by other artists?
I am influenced by other artists. I admire some artists’ and their ideas but my work is my work, completely different.

You must be very happy about the sale of your work to the Singapore Museum?
Yeah it is a great achievement. I really am excited by it and hope more opportunities like this come along in the future. It is a very dark painting, lots of black and not a lot of the classic Myanmar colours, but they liked it.