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Saving Myanmar traditional glass mosaics

By Nyo Me   |   Thursday, 23 March 2017

Even in monasteries, the relics of traditional culture are starting to disappear. At least that is what Mandalay artist, Soe Myint Oo has found.

The 53-year-old is one of the last remaining glass mosaic artists dedicated to preserving the dying craft. While many in the art world flock to what is contemporary and provocative, Soe Myint Oo gravitates towards a different kind of life.

His most recent glass mosaics pay homage to this ancient art form and comprise of his third solo exhibit, ‘Royal Classic.’ The series is on view at the Myanmar Artists Organization Central gallery located in the east wing of Yangon’s Bogyoke Aung San Market through March 26.

“Nowadays, only modern things are used to decorate monasteries. Most of the glass mosaics, which take artists a long time to create, have already disappeared from people’s minds,” he said. “People don’t really know the value of mosaics and thus the art form is going extinct.”

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Originally from Mandalay – the traditional arts and culture capital of Myanmar – Soe Myint Oo drew inspiration from the patterns and decorations on the walls of ancient monastic and religious sites throughout the region.

Yet outside of historical sites, he found, the mosaic art form has virtually died out.

“Only hotels, offices and foreign companies like to display those kinds of artworks. Meanwhile ancient pieces of glass mosaics are thrown around village monasteries without care; people don’t know the value or the history of mosaics in Myanmar,” he added.

To Soe Myint Oo, even the smallest shards that remain from older monasteries and religious building are worth preserving and archiving.

After witnessing the lack of preservation of mosaic works, the classically trained painter spent his nearly thirty year arts career dedicated to maintaining the tradition.

‘Royal Classics’ features over 60 original mosaics that Soe Myint Oo has created throughout the last year. The works range in size and price from K1lakh to K30lakh.

“I’ve noticed one thing from working as an artist,” he pointed out. “It is that some will people find and collect heaps of discarded objects which sell anywhere from $100 to $1000. Even foreigners treat trash like treasure. But why can’t we treasure this older art form, even if it is in pieces?”

80-year-old U Kyaw Than, whose postcard shop sits adjacent to the gallery remarked, “Artists like him are rare. Within the forty years since this gallery opened, I’ve only seen an exhibit like this once. There should be more exhibits like this – featuring other aspects of cultural life from pagodas and monasteries.”

‘Royal Classics’ will be on view until March 26th at The Myanmar Artists Organization Central Gallery in the east wing of Bogyoke Aung San Market.

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