TODAY

The art of painting is one of the most difficult of endeavours to imitate, compared to copycat works aplenty in the fields of the movie, music, photography, etc. The best fake painting never comes abreast with the original. That is why an original masterpiece may fetch thousands, or even millions, of dollars at international auctions. In fact, collecting good paintings has become sort of an investment in Myanmar, like elsewhere.

Myanmar Art of Painting and the Market

Artist Nay Myo Say – With the country opening up generally, the prospects of Myanmar paint -ings market is much improved than before.

Artist Zaw Win Pe – Currently the market is dependent on foreigners. Now collecting the artworks mostly depends, rather than the quali-ty, on which artists are ‘cool’ on the market and trendy. Prices of paintings go diverging, based on what prizes the artist has won, what status he holds in the art world. Current price of a Myanmar painting may run from 300-400 USD to over ten thousand.

Artist Min Wai Aung – A considerable num-ber of art collectors here pay attention to the price, and usually conclude that a high price tag is not worth the painting. They won’t take into consideration its would – be international price. They are not much aware of the artwork value. Improvement of the Art sector means a need for more numerous collectors locally. A local regard for Myanmar artworks means prospec-tive more of the same on the international front.Artwork prices are rising gradually, along with the changing currency value.

Views on new talent’s works and their quality

Artist Min Zaw – I have a great hope for them. They are able, what with the opening up on all fronts than before. Some of their works may even compare to those of current masters in vogue. However, to go international on their part means much more hard work.

Artist Nay Myo Say – Today there are many artists as well as many exhibitions. It’s very good.

Artist Zaw Win Pe – The result is concerned as much with the schools they attended. Nowa-days the new talents are young, and have got the chance to boldly open up so much so that they are harbouring unprecedented thoughts and subjects and creating things. They believe in their artwork and act bravely. Those deep into the Art realm including collectors need to recognize that fact.

What about commercial collection of paintings

Artist Min Zaw – More than other collectibles the collector of artworks is happy and enjoys monetary benefit.

Artist Zaw Win Pe – A commercial collector of artworks needs to have general knowledge as to paintings and the likelihoods of benefit. Painters on their part welcome whatever collec-tion it turns out to be. A collector over time will mature and is led to worthy collecting and worthy appreciation of the art, I believe.

Outlook on local Art Galleries

Saya Min Zaw – Many Art Galleries are open, but mostly run by the painters themselves. To speak of my view, a painter should concentrate on painting, and a promotor on promoting.

Artist Zaw Win Pe – With many Art Galleries one show may not overlap another. The owner should build up the quality of his gallery based on his belief. He must choose the type of integrity to build on. Then the exhibitions will become purified and standardized. A dignified gallery will call for a qualified painter who wishes to show his works. Painters end up qua-lifying themselves. Then to keep abreast with international galleries becomes automa-tic. These circumstances should be appreciated by the creator of art, while gallery owners need to make a fair unbiased choice of the painters.

Artist Min Wai Aung – Numerous Art Galleries allow painters to show chosen works than even before.

Artist Nay Myo Say – In the past, painters on finishing their works had few places to exhibit their creations. Today art galleries in abundance has solved that problem.

Requirements to keep grow the art of painting

Artist Min Zaw – Universitylevel schools of art are needed.

Artist Nay Myo Say – A painter doing pain-ting is enough: he does not need much support. My concept: Do it right and good. A prospective buyer should come by one day. A promotion may be needed, but it is secondary. A good pai-nter is all that is necessary.

Artist Min Wai Aung – In the main, painters must exert themselves because they are irrep-laceable. After some of their labour has become manifest any gap left could be filled in through support of others. For Myanmar art of painting to be equal with international Art realm Mya-nmar painters need to put forth own concepts and outlook and boldly create works for presentation. They must not be a copycat nor an imitator in hopes of a success.

Artist Zaw Win Pe -The most important thing is to establish oneself based on self-confidence, because whatever opportune conditions or exte-rnal support won’t help him.

Preparations for Myanmar paintings to gain entry into the regional market when 2015 ASEAN Economic Community comes into force

Artist Min Wai Aung – Myanmar painters had experience on the ground with exhibitions in ASEAN countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. Avoiding self-satisf-action for success at home, they need to observe what international successful artists are doing and thinking. Abroad the trend is not painting as usual; Myanmar artists need to innovate, in line with the times. We need to have artists painting as usually; we also have most modern artists. But the trend is not widespread among the public and they are unable to enjoy it yet. Because enjoyment of Art follows a country’s prosperity, the smooth living of its people.