Monday, July 11, 2011

Burmese Artist Kin Maung Yin’s work to be exhibited by British Council

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Monday, 11 July 2011 11:34 Ko Pauk

New Delhi (Mizzima) – The British Council’s first exhibition by a Burmese artist will feature the work of Kin Maung Yin in an exhibition that opens on Wednesday. A total of 15 portraits and abstract paintings will be displayed.

A video documentary, “A Letter to Kin Maung Yin,” will be shown during the opening exhibition, and an art workshop will be held.

Aung Soe Min of the Pansodan gallery, a joint sponsor, said, “Among living artists, he is the most important leader of the modern art movement.  Younger artists have gotten new ideas from his work and books.”

According to artist Htein Lin who lives in London, the three most important Burmese modern artists are Kin Maung Yin, Bagyi Aung Soe and Khin Maung (Bank).

“Kin Maung Yin is the artist who has remained steadfast in abstract art. He is the only living artist who dedicated his life to art,” Htein Lin said. “Unlike other artists, he is not attached to money or success, and he is fearless. He did several paintings of Aung San Suu Kyi that show he is free,” Htein Lin said.

He said Kin Maung Yin appreciates the style of the late Italian artist Modigliani, and some of his Suu Kyi portraits feature a long neck and almond-shape eyes. Suu Kyi’s portraits will not be displayed in the exhibition.

Kin Maung Yin, 73, is a versatile artist. One of his well-known books is “Koob One.” “Koob” is the reverse form of the word “Book.”

“His has a modern style. Other books are ‘Art Language’, ‘Art Standards’ (coauthor Zaw Zaw Aung), ‘Paw Oo Thet’s Visit’, and ‘Kin Maung Yin 72’,” Aung Soe Min said. He also directed a modern film “Give up, sister” in 1960.

Kin Maung Yin lives in North Okkalapa Township in Rangoon. In late 2010, writer Ma Theingi published “This Is Kin Maung Yin” about his life and work. Written in English, the book will be available at the exhibition.

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