Interviewed with Ko Myo Thaw, the grandson of artist U San Hlaing

In the arrangement of Ko Myo Thaw including not only the contributing a book of his grandfather’s artist life, but also celebration of his art exhibition and a plan to present this book to the audience. So, I interviewed Ko Myo Thaw in his office room.
Q : When did you beware of your grandfather’s paintings?

Ans : I was beware of my grandfather’s paintings since I was 8 years old at standard. I also saw when he was painting.

Q : Have you the wish to paint at that time?

Ans : I emulated my grandfather. And I also badgered to teach the art in summer holidays as I want to paint like him. But he did not teach and told me that if I drew the paintings, I will be poor. His wish for me is to become educated one. So, he encouraged me to read the academic books and to send me the other training courses.

Q : You are a grandson of the artist U San Hlaing as well as the son of the famous poet “Myay Chit Thu”. Are you interested in poem? When did you feel and inspire on the poems?

Ans : I began to feel the poems since I attended 5th or 6th standard. I liked my father’s poems and I made a magazine by myself. And I wrote the poems on Sundays. While I studied at the No.5 State School of Botahtaung. I have published three poem books. How I interested in poems I do it till my mother turned me out of home.

Q : Was your mother interested in art?
Ans : My mother was interested in Art. She wrote the article in the Science magazine and others. But she was anxious about me as I was weak in my school works.
Q : So, you can say that you have art generation.
Ans : Yes, we have. My uncle U Nay Aung could paint like my grandfather.
Q : When did your thought begin to preserve your grandfather’s art works?
Ans : I like my grandfather’s art works as illustrations and paintings. This is his profession. When he sold the paintings, I had a grudge on it. Artist U Saw Hlaing sold almost all his paintings. When I have sat my examination of ten standard, since I got matured mind, I have a goal that I will preserve my grandfather’s art works as my heritage. And I also have a mission.

I am hard-up my business because I would like to buy and give the best paints and brushes for my grandfather. And then I want to preserve his paintings. I was proud of my grandfather’s works. There are in very detail and I think his works of hand’s style were very good proportion.

Q : How did you encourage him to paint?

Ans : I bought and gave him requisites for painting. My grandfather would like to paint commercialized paintings for our family. But I told him that I do not sell his paintings and I will preserve all. Being so, he created the paintings as his mind and concept such as: the subject on revolution Boycotts, etc.

Q : What he talked on your gold of preservation?
Ans : It gladdened him and he proud it. Then he painted many paintings.
Q : Have you the influence on the preservation?

Ans : I will give the example of the preservation of generation as the brands of Mitsubishi and
Jonny Walker which were began since 200 years ago, up to now. I want to present my grandfather’s paintings in the world. So I request you for my grandfather’s book in both of English and Myanmar version.

Q : Do you think that your new generation will preserve like you?
Ans : I cannot say it for certain. But surely, I will preserve his artworks as long as I live.
Q : You are trying to make the book of your grandfather’s is artist life and art works. And then you will make an art exhibition for him. Please talk about your delightful talk.
Ans : I’m very delightful.

Copyright

All right reserved. You may not copy, store, distribute, transmit, reproduce or otherwise make available this publication (or any part of it) in any form, or by any means (electronic, digital, optical, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any person who does any authorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Artworks
  • Biography
  • Achievements & Awards
  • Exhibition
  • Artist Outlooks
  • Media

Contact Us

No. 50, Thit Yar Pin Road, 23rd Ward, Thuwana VIP1, Thingangyun Township, Yangon.

anawrahtaartgallery@gmail.com

+95 9 5400345, +95 9 5566633