Myanmar's contemporary painting is not well known, but a weeklong exhibition featuring three of the country's most renowned artists will awaken a sense of familiarity and recognition.

"Opus One Shanghai," an exhibition of 35 paintings at Wan Fung Art Gallery, captures the spirit and color of the country and its people. The Asia Fine Arts exhibition presents some of the country's most successful artists, including Chan Aye, Tin Win, and Myanmar's most recognized painter, Min Wae Aung.

Min, principal artist of the show, offers simplicity and peace, an insight into the Buddhist way of life, with his strong uncomplicated images. For his first show in Shanghai, the artist developed fifteen acrylic on canvas paintings that depict journeys made by Buddhist monks and nuns.

"Min has captured the very essence of Myanmar -- its spiritual and magical dimension, iconic characters perpetuating age-old traditions, and also the beauty and joy of daily life in Myanmar, the morning rounds to collect alms, the hot sun, the energy of youth," says Sidney Cowell, Asia Fine Arts managing director.

The artist at first painted landscapes, portraits, and images of daily life in his home country. "It was not until 1998 that I started to make more religious scenes. I felt I had to develop one unique style," he says.

Now his vivid images are known worldwide, with many artists trying to copy his individual style.

With a solid block of color as background, his subjects walk away from the viewer, often with their faces hidden. They convey a feeling of harmony and leaving troubles behind.

"When you go to a monk's life you go towards peace and leave all daily pressure behind," Min says.

Since 1994 Min has participated in over 40 exhibitions around the world, and his work is sought out by collectors, galleries and museums. Before coming to Shanghai the exhibit was shown in Paris where five works were sold.

The traditional way of life is captured by all three artists, each in a very different style.

Although Min's pictures are the best known, the other artists also give fresh perspectives on the people and sense of the country.

"Myanmar is the rising star of the art world and it is exciting to see these extraordinary artists at this point in their careers," says Cowell.

(Shanghai Daily March 27, 2007)