Lapyae, Serene Tan, Benjamin Kim

The rich history, culture, and heritage of Myanmar were on show at a special exhibition, Discover Myanmar by Artchetypal, on May 24 at the Ion Art Gallery. There, the works of six established and emerging artists were displayed. Art connoisseurs among our Singapore Tatler friends were invited to discover over 70 paintings, from colourful scenes depicting daily life to vibrant impressionist cityscapes, which had been specially commissioned for Singapore and created by artists Kyi Hlaing Aung, Moe Myint Zaw, Byardate, Ngwe Aung, Ngwe Phyoe, and Lapyae.

Independent art commentator Danny Tan, who has a PhD in Southeast Asian Studies from the National University of Singapore, offered insights into the contemporary art scene in Myanmar, noting the censorship imposed on artists under the country's former military regime which even included restrictions on the use of certain colours in their paintings. Guests later embarked on a guided tour of the showcase, with all six artists on hand to talk about the inspirations behind their works and their creative processes.

'gallery right' 'gallery right'
'gallery right' 'gallery right'
Photo 1 of 48 Danny Tan, Gerald Lee
Photo 2 of 48 Jacelyn Lai, Gerald Lee, Jasmine Foo
Photo 3 of 48 Vanessa Ng, Angela Ng
Photo 4 of 48 Ngwe Phyoe, Zin Min, Ngwe Aung
Photo 5 of 48
Photo 6 of 48 Shamita Veeraputeran, Vanessa Ng, Adeline Teo
Photo 7 of 48 Caroline Low-Heah, May Choong
Photo 8 of 48 Tony Jeffs, Peggy Jeffs
Photo 9 of 48 Maria See
Photo 10 of 48 Kissa Castañeda, Paulina Böhm
Photo 11 of 48 Jane Heng, Heng Shiqi
Photo 12 of 48 Serene Chua
Photo 13 of 48 Selina Low
Photo 14 of 48 Cheryl Cheong, Pui Wan Ling
Photo 15 of 48 Selina Low, Milly Sin
Photo 16 of 48 Paulina Böhm, Grace Wong
Photo 17 of 48 Gerti Iwatake
Photo 18 of 48 Danny Tan
Photo 19 of 48 Moe Myint Zaw, Gerald Lee, Zin Min
Photo 20 of 48
Photo 21 of 48 Sharon Heng, Phillip Heng
Photo 22 of 48 Lam Tse Yi, Lam Min Yee
Photo 23 of 48 June Rin
Photo 24 of 48 Jacelyn Lai, Sharon Heng
Photo 25 of 48 Dax Lye, Jacelyn Lai, Maria See, Richard Mok
Photo 26 of 48 Marcus Ang, Mo Dirani
Photo 27 of 48 Chen Ruoyi
Photo 28 of 48 Ngwe Phyoe, Byardate, Moe Myint Zaw, Ngwe Aung, Kyi Hlaing Aung, Lapyae
Photo 29 of 48 Lapyae, Serene Tan, Benjamin Kim
Photo 30 of 48 Serene Tan, Benjamin Kim, Paulina Böhm
Photo 31 of 48 Lam Min Yee, Moe Myint Zaw, Lam Tse Yi
Photo 32 of 48 Serene Chua, Kissa Castañeda
Photo 33 of 48 Gerald Lee, Jasmine Foo
Photo 34 of 48 Jacelyn Lai
Photo 35 of 48
Photo 36 of 48 Jasmine Foo, Jacelyn Lai, Ngwe Phyoe, Byardate, Moe Myint Zaw, Ngwe Aung, Kyi Hlaing Aung, Gerald Lee, Danny Tan
Photo 37 of 48 Grace Wong
Photo 38 of 48 Jane Heng, Jacelyn Lai, Heng Shiqi
Photo 39 of 48 Lam Min Yee, Kissa Castañeda, Lam Tse Yi
Photo 40 of 48 Kissa Castañeda
Photo 41 of 48 Serene Tan, Benjamin Kim
Photo 42 of 48 Jacelyn Lai, Gerald Lee, Ranjit Singh, SL Nathan
Photo 43 of 48 Patricia Cheong
Photo 44 of 48 Moe Myint Zaw
Photo 45 of 48 Peggy Jeffs, Benjamin Kim
Photo 46 of 48 Caroline Low-Heah, Maria See
Photo 47 of 48
Photo 48 of 48