ONLINE BOOK LAUNCH : YAUNG SIN AUNG KHIN, THE MASTER OF COLOURS

CATALOGUE RAISONNE ON U AUNG KHIN, Myanmar

Based on an iconography never shown before in an English publication, this Catalogue Raisonné traces the artistic itinerary of U Aung Khin considered one of the greatest Burmese artists.

It also seeks to show the link with the contemporary art scene in Myanmar today and the influence that this painter had on the younger generation.

This book is a story of passions: those of making known to an audience of connoisseurs, art collectors and general public the exciting modern and contemporary practice of artists from Southeast Asia and particularly Myanmar.

U Aung Khin is one of these artists and perhaps, for his country, the first of them to be considered modern. Due to the political situation in Myanmar from 1962 to 2011, there are very few books in English about Burmese painting and thus little knowledge about the extremely rich art history of this country.

U Aung Khin, who lived from 1921 to 1996, mastered all drawing and painting techniques and successfully managed to appropriate Western techniques to create a style of his own to express Myanmar-ness through everyday life scenes and portraits. His paintings reflect a subtle delicateness and sensibility. Aung Khin’s large collection, which is inventoried in this book, encompasses artworks from 1937 to 1996 and allows us to make an interesting analysis of his artistic practice.

The 15 interviews of contemporary artists included in the book were conducted by Victor Paul Brang Tun, who is himself a young Singaporean artist of Burmese and Kachin origine

About the Contributors:

Victor Paul Brang Tun (Singapore, b. 1992 in Myanmar) holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Lasalle College of the Arts, Singapore. He speaks fluent English, Burmese, and Kachin. Through his skill and artistic sensitivity, he made contact with fifteen contemporary artists to share their vision of U Aung Khin and appreciate his legitimacy.

Madeleine de Langalerie (France) is a journalist. Madeleine arrived in Phnom Penh in 1992, after the Paris Peace Accords, to report on the elections. She then served for 15 years, until 2005, as manager for TV5 Asia Bureau–Asia region and was based out of Phnom Penh and Bangkok. She chose to stay in Cambodia where she now pursues her passion to garner global interest in the talent of Cambodian artists. She currently works in Phnom Penh as an independent curator and event organiser. For this project, she met Cho Cho Aung, painter and U Aung Khin’s daughter.

Marie-Pierre Mol (France) is an independent curator and owner of Intersections, a gallery and art consultancy based in Singapore. Intersections’ mission is to bridge cultures through the arts. Marie-Pierre holds a Master of Art in Asian Art Histories from Goldsmiths College, University of London. She specializes in contemporary art from Myanmar and has curated many exhibitions of Burmese artists both in Yangon and in Singapore, as well as exhibitions of French and Singaporean artists in Singapore. Intersections has also been invited to participate in the Singapore platform of Art Paris 2015 to present Burmese contemporary artists. She has participated in every edition of Art Stage Singapore from 2015 to 2018 and in SEA FOCUS in 2019 with artists from Myanmar.

Pho Myet Che, Pearl (Singapore, b. 1999 in Myanmar) is currently pursuing her undergraduate studies at LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore. She is fluent in both English and Burmese and would like to contribute to the contemporary art scene in Myanmar in order to help it realise its fullest potential.

Danielle Solk (UK) is an artist and art teacher who is currently working in Singapore. She has exhibited in Hong Kong, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Mexico and England. Her work comprises an eclectic mix of styles, as she enjoys exploring new methods and techniques, dependent on the current theme. For instance, her portrait series aims to deliver a wider image of those represented based on historical references and clues that suggest more about the subject. For this project, Danielle used U Aung Khin’s unique colour palette to create exquisite portraits of the fifteen artists who were interviewed about U Aung Khin.

Published by Intersections Pte Ltd & Re-Creation

For more information and to order the book contact Marie-Pierre Mol at art@intersections.com.sg or visit intersections website https://www.intersections.com.sg/aung-khin-book.html

This book is a story of passions: those of making known to an audience of connoisseurs, art collectors and general public the exciting modern and contemporary practice of artists from Southeast Asia and particularly Myanmar.