Exhibitions
An Exhibition by Artists who love Myanmar beyond the country
Written by Misao Kasamatsu / Translated by AURA ART
“Art changes the city.” In Yangon, Myanmar's largest city, an art project called the "YGN WALLS" demonstrated the phrase by filling the walls of Yangon's back alleys with art works and restores those alleys as places where people hung out. Four artists involved in the project unveiled their works as exhibitions, not on the walls of alleys but at the Gallery Sixty Five from October 25-27, 2018.
David Richard, an American artist, is one of the four artists working on the project. Richard, who is currently laying down his roots in Myanmar, has traveled to Jamaica, Cambodia, Japan, and other countries, expressing in watercolors the scenes he saw in the countries he traveled to.
Shwedagon Pagoda at night. Illuminated and expresses a glistening sight
He told that he likes Myanmar, where cultures from various countries coexist, such as Britain and China. He visits Shwedagon Pagoda, a Buddhist temple, the former Burmese Government Office in the British style, and other places in Yangon as well as Ngapali Beach to paint the scenery and culture of the area. He also collected newspaper articles and magazine articles on Myanmar's art and architecture, and his collection was open to the public as well.
A series of Myanmar arts and Richard himself
Not only Myanmar, but also Japan and Cambodia are on display. He has traveled to Japan many times, especially in favor of Japanese culture. In his actual works, those with cultural elements such as women in kimono and temples such as Kiyomizu-dera Temple were conspicuous.
Articles collection in English and Burmese
Omage work of woodblock print "Kanagawa Okinamiura" by Hokusai KATSUSHIKA
Julie Anne Pedida, who works mainly in painting, is from Manila, the Philippines. Like the works titled "Tea Shop" and "Yangon Monsoon", many works dealing with the scenery in which the culture of Yangon at a glance. A simple style depicting only a person and the minimum necessary tools on the canvas, with almost shadowless colors, makes Myanmar's culture stand out. It's strange that even in works depicting local women such as the Karen tribe, the characteristics of each tribe are accurately expressed, even though there are no lines of detail.
Women from various tribes in Myanmar are depicted
The third artist is Alexander Bertrand. Mr. Bertrand, who works in various forms of art, participates in the exhibition as a photographer. A number of Myanmar realities were on display, including an old woman with a wooden pipe in her mouth, boys who plays the main role in the festival, and a pagoda where fireworks to celebrate the New Year bloom brilliantly.
A woman watched closely
Gomepoo, the only Myanmar artist at the exhibition, is probably a modern and original sensibility. The unique view of the world was seen "The Door," where only white doors and people's handprints floated in the black-filled canvas, as well as the “Square Head”, a man who has a square face, and the “Down”, which paints a peacock filled in a round canvas.
The hands drawn all over the canvas give an eerie feel
After the exhibition is over, their works are being seen on the walls of the alleys all over in Yangon. They may be trying to make the whole town an art exhibition, not only this exhibition, but also involving various Myanmar people and foreigners living in Yangon.
