U San Hlaing passed the English–Myanmar seventh standard, from Sayar U Po Thit School. He has been interested in painting since young. Because of his parents’ poverty, he could not buy pencils, brushes, paints, and paper for practicing drawing. He drew pictures that he liked on the ground with a stick, erased drew again, etc. He practiced like that again and again. Sometimes he practiced drawing on the floor and on the window panels. Then he got a chance to under the artist Sayar Hmat. In 1938, at the age of 14, his elder brother contracted him with U Ba Tun from British Burma Films Company and U Aung Zan of A -1 Films for him. Under the guidance of Artist U Khin Ohn, he started drawing Film – Posters and advertisements.

Then he studied under Sayar U Thein Nyunt. Sayar U Thein Nyunt is an expert in both watercolor and oil painting. Besides those, he is well–versed in Myanmar culture. U San Hlaing received the foundations of Traditional Myanmar Works from Sayar U Thein Nyunt. In Yangon, he continued studying under the well–known artists, Sayar U Ngwe Gaing and Sayar U Hla Mg Gyi.

U San Hlaing had received money from painting since he was at the age of 13 and 14. He had done odd jobs and from those earnings, he supported his parents.

I had once worked as a porter, selling newspapers, etc., to earn money. When I got five Kyats a month, I sent them back to my parents, U San Hlaing told one of the interviewers.

U San Hlaing is fond of reading, too. As he is poor, he cannot buy books. So he went to the library, made friends with the librarian, and borrowed books.

When the Second World War sped to Myanmar, he joined the Burma Defence Army in Phyapon. In 1943, his posting was at the Yangon War Minister’s Office. He was on sentry duty at the guard post. From there, he was sent to Singleton Training Corps (1). In the revolution against Fascists’, he joined the Guerilla (1001) Forces and fought along with the brigade (106). He took part in Yangon Conquest Fighting and Sittaung Plataue Fighting. After the war, he went back to Phyapon and continued painting. In February 1946, he joined the armed forces again. After nearly a year, he quit the armed forces.

He joined the People’ Comrade Corps, which was led by Bo Gyoke Aung San. He became the General Secretary of the People’s Comrade Corps in Phyapon. After General Aung Sann and his colleagues were assassinated in 1947, he joined the Regiment (2), led by commanding Officer Bo Minn Gaung. He served nearly one year as a port of sergeant. Then he quit and founded ‘San Hlaing’s Art Studio’ in 27th Street, Yangon. He became a professional artist from then onwards.

Because of his sacrifices for Burma’s independence, he received the Maw Kun Win Award Grade (1) on the 27th of March 1959. This award was given to 1513 persons and U San Hlaing was one of them.

He got married to Daw Tin Aung in 1947 and had eight children.

In 1938, when he was 15 years old, his elder brother brought him to Yangon. There he studied under SayarU Khin Ohn. Then from Saya U Ngwe Gaing and U Hla Mg Gyi.

Sayar U Ngwe Gaing is an expert in drawing outlines and pen sketches. U San Hlaing tried to follow those techniques from U Ngwe Gaing. When U Ngwe Gaing went outdoors, he followed him and studied closely. As U Ngwe Gaing is a very pious person and also drew many religious paintings, U San Hlaing received the valuable experience of dressing Buddhist paintings. U San Hlaing was greatly indebted to Sayar U Ngwe Gaing.

In Yangon, there were many people from Phyapon, such as U Tha Tun of British Burma Films, and Director U Aung Zan of A-1 Films. They sent U San Hlaing to pursue art under the tutelage of Sayar U Khin Ohn. From Sayar U Khin Ohn, U San Hlaing accomplished drawing Film – Posters and Advertisements.

Besides those gurus, U San Hlaing had a chance to study the techniques of the most popular artists of that day, such as U Ba Nyan, U Ba Zaw, U Hla Mg Gyi, U Ba Lon, U Tun Kywe, U Saw Mg, U Ohn Lwin, etc. They all are actually the benefactors of U San Hlaing.

U San Hlaing’s Artistic Works

Since 1947, U San Hlaing has founded ‘San Hlaing Arts Studio on 27th Street, Yangon. He started his career drawing all kinds of works from textile painting works to trademarks, designs, advertising, etc. At that time, the trademarks of the popular Pwint Kaung Fish paste sauce were designed by U San Hlaing and U Ba Yin Galay competitively.

In the pre-war period, most of the film – advertisements were drawn by U San Hlaing. The sizes of those posters were about 8 x 6 feet and he also drew two–sided posters on the trolley.

U San Hlaing made one–man show in 1956 at Jubilee Hall, Yangon.

In 1958 – 59, the Burma Artist Union’s chairman was U Ba Khin and U San Hlaing served as a committee member.

In 1959, at Sarpay Beikmhan, the Burma Artist Union held the art Exhibition. At that exhibition, U San Hlaing’s ‘Okkla San Daw Shin’ painting is very famous.

In 1963, the Art and Sculpture Council chairman was Sayar U Ohn Lwin and U San Hlaing became the organizer.

At the Poppa Peasants Seminar, Union Day at Mandalay, Kabaung Peasants Seminar, Chauk Workers Day, etc. the historical background posters were drawn by U San Hlaing.

In 1964, he served as an artist (First Class) at the Lanzin News Branch, Education Department of Myanma Socialist Programmed Party Headquarters. He had designed many insignias and emblems for workers, peasants, and youth organizations. The most prominent work is designing the National Flag.

At the Armed Forces Historical Museum, his historical paintings on revolutionary and freedom movements were proudly displayed.

In the special issues of Taing lone Kyaw and Myanma Alin Newspaper, all the covers were of U San Hlaing’s paintings. Shumawa, Ngwe Taryi, Pe Phu Hlwar, Mahaythi, Yadanarmon, Myatsumon magazines, Loke Thar, Pyi Thu Kye, Khit Myanmar, Myitmaka, Byar Deik Pan, Taya Yeik Myaing Journals, U Sann Hlaing works were seen monthly and consecutively.

From the No (1) issue of Sit Pyan, he drew illustrations for a long period.

The 10 Jataks Tales and 550 Nipats were illustrated by U San Hlaing, which fall with Myanmar styles and cultures. The comics of Akri Su Phaya, Padamya Nga Mauk, and Secrets Yadanapon Palace.

Stories, Mya Tha Beik Taung Ah Sinand Mingun Zetawun Nya, etc., were very popular among the readers. Zinatapakarthani, the lives of Buddha were also drawn by U San Hlaing. U San Hlaing’s capabilities and potentialities of religious illustrations were conspicuous in those works.

Sayar U San Hlaing has his own creative style. He can draw all kinds of illustrations in detail. All his drawings are drawn systematically and patiently. His line drawings and sketches go down to the real nitty–gritty. He gave a detailed account of what he had seen and thought. All his paintings and illustrations are itemized. He usually draws lines and pen – sketches patiently. He is a man who has the patience of a job. All his lines are very neat and tidy. He usually uses Myanmar colors. He always works in full cry. He works with full of beans. We must take examples from him. All the artists incuriously recognized him as the prime mover in Myanmar traditional art. Sayar U San Hlaing always said about artwork “If you’re going to do artwork, if you’re going to make a living from artwork, respect, and value art. Also, they have perseverance, diligence, and industriousness’’.

U San Hlaing can both draw European techniques such as watercolor, and oil paintings, and Myanmar traditional methods such as linings, coloring, vignettes, pencil drawings, etc. He is very clever in drawing freehand illustrations. He has a very good imagination. He draws religious paintings and, Illustrations based on religious text and the life stories of previous incarnations of Buddha. Drawing like him are rivals.

Up till 75 years of age, he draws at least thirty to 40 illustrations a month. He works from 9 am to 12 pm every day continuously.

What makes U San Hlaing unusual is his attachment to traditional style. He has never deviated from it. His paintings are purely traditional and he never makes any alteration in his style of painting. He still preserves Myanmar’s traditional art.

U San Hlaing’s paintings are priceless because he depicted what he saw, felt, and experienced.

U San Hlaing is considered one of Myanmar’s oldest artists, he has created paintings that come from his memories and feelings.

Up till now, U San Hlaing has drawn more than 100 watercolor paintings and 150 oil paintings. The most proud of all was the design of the State Flag of the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma. Artist U San Hlaing is the Oldest Classical and Legendary Artist in Myanmar and A member of Freedom Archive (1923 -2015).