PANSODAN Gallery is exhibiting a collection of contemporary artworks in memory of deceased modern artist Bagyi Aung Soe, entitled “Om” after one of the late artist’s own exhibitions.
“Almost two decades after his death, his art continues to fascinate and stimulate so we have collected works by him and other modern artists,” said Ko Aung, an organiser of the exhibition. In total, 91 pictures by 16 Myanmar modern artists are on display, including works by Bagyi Aung Soe, Khin Maung Yin, Maung Di, Aung Myint and Mont Thone amongst others. The works are a variety of oil, enamel, acrylic, watercolour, ink on paper and installation pieces.
“It took us a month to prepare this art exhibition as we wanted to show that there are many excellent modern artists who paint not only for beauty or landscapes but also the inspirations and abstract,” added Ko Aung.
The reasoning behind the title of Bagyi Aung Soe’s original “Om” exhibition is still open to debate. Some believe that it stems from Buddhism since when Buddhists wish for they want they recite mantras that start with the word “Om”. Others believe that it is simply a word taken from the Indian language. Bagyi Aung Soe drew many pictures in his “Om” series. A retrospective of his work is planned for next year to mark the 20th anniversary of his death.
“When I see so many art exhibitions, I want him to be here. In the past there were only a few art exhibitions and even for those shows, he was very eager to participate. And all the time he was drawing and drawing, sitting at a chair, and when he finished one picture he would call me to look at it, but I didn’t understand his art,” said Aung Soe’s widow, Daw Than Kyi.
The exhibition will run until December13 at Pansodan Gallery, Pansodan Road, Kyauktada township, Yangon. Tel: 095072837 or 095130846.
“In the past my preference was for realist art but now I am interested in modern art and though I don’t understand it very well, I feel the aim of the artists. I think modern art can represent colours, feelings and thoughts so I have collected these pictures and made a modern art exhibition,” said actor Min Thu, sponsor of the exhibition.
