at The Rotunda, Exchange Square, Hong Kong
3rd – 16th November, 2003

Exhibition Ideas
In January 2002 I went on a trip to Burma with the intent of studying the people and their culture and surrounds first hand. I had previously been inspired to paint a series of paintings on the Silk Road after a trip there in 1997, and since I completed and exhibited these paintings I wish to create another series of similar nature.  Being Chinese , I have always had a keen interest in Asian people and their lives, so I wanted to choose a country where I could continue my exploration of them. I felt Burma would be an ideal choice since it is still fairly untouched by modern and western civilization, and those elements that have filtered through add an interesting twist to the communist nation. The scenery of the countryside, temples, markets, and dusty streets are an excellent backdrop to the figures studies that I have composed.

I went to Yangoon, Bagan and Inle Lake and found Yangoon full of beautiful temples, everywhere there are Monks, old and young. The monks are allowed to eat only once a day. They have to go out early in the morning to seek alms (food) from door to door and they come back to the monastery to share their seeking amongst their peer. The dark red robes sweeping along contrasted with the dark black bowls in the midst of the yellow dusty road. . Then after lunch the softly pink clothed Nuns appear with orange brown umbrellas to shield themselves from the strong afternoon sun. It forms a beautiful picture. Women and children painted their face with white Thanaka to protect themselves from the sun and it also helps cooling. Both the men and women are mostly in traditional longyis which are generally very colourful. I was inspired by the Burmese architecture, colourful longyis, the headgear, and faces etc.

The market is always the most interesting place for me where I can see daily activities of ordinary people. The colourful canopy, longyis, fruits, vegetables, seafood and spices compounded with the light and shade produced by the strong sun. There are also mysterious feelings with the smoke puffed out by the old women smoking chiros.

Whereas in Bagan, the place is very country like, clean and serene. The place is surrounded by reddish earth tone pagodas and the horizon is absolutely flat. The scenery at sunrise and sunset is breathtaking. Most of the people here are simple farmers. They are poor and seem contented with life (like the Xinjiang people I saw on the Silk Road). You just have this wonderful feeling of peace and contentment in life. I have also learnt a lot about Buddhism from the tourist guide who used to study (was a novice) in the monastery in Bagan.

The Inle Lake is full of floating islands, gardens and interesting fishing boats rowed by a single foot operated oar. The fishermen drop a triangular shaped metal cone into the sea to trap fish into net which creates ripples on the calm lake. The market in Inle lake is very different from other places. The Shan people come down every sunday wearing their black clothes and colourful turban and place all their produce on the floor. Lots of brightly clothed children are running around. Some of them then pray at the local temple.

Based on this inspiration I have produced a collection of paintings of Burma, the people, particularly the novice monks and their lives. I have also painted the Burmese lanscape and its religious and secular architecture. I want to dedicated this exhibition to the people of Burma, hence there are two aspects in this series, the life of those in the monastic cummunity and the Burmese people. I hope to capture the spiritual essence of Burma with its gentle people.

Window 2002 Oil on canvas 76 x 76cm (sold)

This is a window on to the life of the young monks. They hurry back to their school from a morning’s collection of food (alms) to share amongst their peers. This is the only meal that they have each day. In the afternoon they study Buddhism in Burmese and it is this script which appears randomly on the wall.

See more paintings click on “Burma : An Eternal Beauty”.