About
Lun Gywe
Lun Gywe was born on September 24, 1930, in Yangon, Myanmar. Orphaned at just five months old when his father passed away, he was raised by his mother. From an early age, he devoted himself to drawing. He received formal art training under notable instructors such as Thet Win, Chit Maung, San Win, Thein Han, and Ngwe Gaing, and graduated from the Art Institute of Teacher's Training in 1954. Lun Gywe later served as an instructor at the State School of Fine Arts, Yangon from 1958 to 1979, and as its principal from 1977 to 1979. He also taught at the Fine Art Association at the University of Rangoon from 1958 to 1979.
In 1964, he pursued further studies in China for a year, which profoundly influenced his work, leading him to integrate Chinese brush and ink techniques into his oil paintings and watercolors. His art journey continued with a fellowship in art restoration to East Germany in 1972. There, he explored the works of European masters in East Berlin, Dresden, and Potsdam, which deepened his appreciation for impressionism. Despite these diverse influences, Thein Han, his mentor and lifelong friend, is regarded as his most prominent influence.
Over time, his work evolved towards impressionism and, in some cases, expressionism. His visit to China introduced him to the rapid execution techniques of Chinese ink and watercolor painting, which significantly influenced his impressionistic approach. Known for his swift and prolific painting style, his impressionist work has been described as "the action of impressionism'. A significant portion of his art focuses on the female form, his favored subject. As a devout Buddhist, his work reflects the principles of order, harmony, stability, and grace central to his faith.
Biographical Highlight of Dr. Lun Gywe (U)
Personal
Born on 24th September 1930 (94 years old now)
Education & Apprenticeship
Fine Art Teachers and Mentors
U Thein Han, U Thet Win, U Ngwe Gaing, U San Win
and U Chit Maung
1947 Studied watercolor under U Chit Maung for a few months
1947~1948 Studied poster art under U Thar Lwin & advertisement art under U Hla Maung
1954~1955 Studied art theories at Kambe Teachers Training Institute, Rangoon under U Thet Win
1964~1965 Studied Eastern Art and Oil Medium Methods at the Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing
1972 Attended practical training on the restoration of paintings in East Germany at the National
Arts Collections in Dresden and the Markisches Museum in Berlin
Career
1948~1949 Started a photography business in Mudon
1948~1953 Drew posters and advertisement arts in mudon
1955~1957 Child Art Teacher at AVM Post-Primary School, Mudon
1958~1979 Instructor at State School of Fine Arts, Rangoon
1965~1988 Weekend art instructor at the Art Association of Rangoon Arts and Sciences University
1975 Member at Art and Sculpture Council
1977 Acting Principal at State School of Fine Arts, Rangoon
1980~1987 Decorated the rooms of Annual Myanmar Gems Emporium Shows
1987 Helped establishing the Golden Valley Art Center with U Myint Lwin (Peter Lwin)
1990 Full time artist of fine art
1990~1997 Art Instructor for foreign community
1990 Founded Artist Life Art Gallery
Awards
1965 Graduated with distinction for Eastern Art at the Central Acadamy of Fine Arts, Beijing
1972 Certificate of completion for art restoration training in East Germany
1990 "Award of Honor" from the Niagara Frontier Watercolor Society, New York.
2014 Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) by National University of Art and Culture
2019 Pride of Myanmar, award for success in art career, by the Chief Minister Yangon region
2023 Special Venerable Artist Award CLMTV&CN, Contemporary Art Award,
Mahasarakham University, Thailand
Major Artistic Projects
1958~1959 Accomplished 20 paintings on the life of first head monk for
Gyone Gyone Kya Taw Ya Monastery, Mudon
1985 Created a painting "Bringing of Buddha Statues to Mandalay" for Mandalay Mahamuni Pagoda
1985~1990 Curated 3 rooms of Buddha's Life for the Maha Buddha Vimsa at Shwedagon Pagoda compound
1991 Painted the victory of Buddha over Mara at Mahar Wizaya Pagoda, Yangon
2002 Commissioned to depict 30 paintings of Buddha's history for
Myanmar Buddhist Temple (Myanmar Stupa & Temple, India)
Selected Major Exhibitions in Myanmar
1961~1964 Participated as permanent member artist of Sarpay Beikman (original name
Burma Translation Society before being renamed in 1963) Exhibitions
1976 First Water Colour Exhibition of Art and Sculpture Council
2000 Solo Exhibition at National Museum Yangon (Department of Culture)
2006 Blossom of Spring Solo Art Exhibition at Yangon
2012 Joined Charity Watercolour Exhibition YGN with Lun Mya Mya
2004~2019 Annual solo/family exhibitions at Artist Life Art Gallery
2023 Jun Art Couple Show of Artist Dr. U Lun Gywe and Lun Mya Mya, Artist Life Art Gallery
2023 Sep Living with the Arts (As he Celebrates his 94th year in life) Art Exhibitions,
Artist Life Art Gallery
Selected International exhibitions
1985 Japan, participant, 2nd Asian Art Show, Fukuoka
2000 Singapore, Solo exhibition, Emerald Hill Studios
2004 Thailand, jointly with Aung Kyaw Htet, Burmese Master Paintings by Thavibu
2005 Thailand, Solo exhibition, U Lun Gywe - A Retrospective by Thavibu
2006 Singapore, Solo exhibition at The Arts House - fragrance of Myanmar Arts
2006 USA, New York - Tradition & Modernity in Southeast Asian Art Exhibition
2009 Singapore, Solo exhibition, The Heart Paintings by Carmelites Art Gallery
2011 Thailand, Solo exhibition - Feasting the Female Form by Thavibu
2017 Japan, participant, Tokyo Art Fair
2017 Japan, Ginza, Solo exhibition
2019 Taiwan, Solo exhibition at Chienkuo Technology University
2019 Japan, Ginza, Solo exhibition
2022 The Soul of An Artist, Solo exhibition at The Arts House, Singapore
2024 Colorful Splashes, SWS 55th Annual Exhibition, Singapore
Museum & Private Collections
National Museum of Myanmar
National Art Gallery of Malaysia
Singapore Art Museum
LaSalle College of the Arts, Singapore
ILHAM Gallery, Malaysia
Center of Burma Studies, Chicago
Publications
2005 A Master Painter from Myanmar - Published by Thavibu Gallery
2005 The Great Master Myanmar Artist U THEIN HAN's Descendant Artist U LUN GYWE - Published by
Artist Life Art Gallery
2009 Artist's Collection by U Lun Gywe - Published by Artist life Art Gallery
2011 Feasting the Female Form, U Lun Gywe - Published by Thavibu Gallery
2014 U Lun Gywe, Myanmar's Famous Impressionist Artist - Published by Carmelites Framing & Art Gallery
2016 My Watercolor by Dr. U Lun Gywe - Published by Artist Life Art Gallery
2018 From Saya Lun to Dr. U Lun Gywe - Authored by Author U Hla Tin Htun (in Burmese language)
2022 The Soul of An Artist - Published by Larry Lee, Singapore
2023 Long Journey of Art by Myanmar Artist - Published by Carmelites Framing & Art Gallery