Saw Win Tun

Saw Win Tun (also known as Min Naing) is a Burmese artist and poet, who works in a gems art factory in Mae Sot, Thailand. His father is an ethnic Burman and his mother is Karen-Burman. Both of his parents were civil servants and growing up he lived in various parts of the country. From early childhood he has been a keen painter and has entered numerous painting competitions. During his childhood summer holidays he entered various painting courses. Many of his paintings and poems have been printed in Rangoon University’s annual publications.

Between 1995 and 1998 he worked in advertising in Burma’s capital city. On top of this he continued his artistic education with U Lun Gywe and U Win Pe Myint, two of the most well known artists in Burma. However in 1998 he become unemployed when his employers went into the red.

Seeking employment, he arrived in Thailand in 1999 where he worked as a labourer for 6 months. He now works at a gems factory. He subsequently met Saw Chu Cil, an artist in Thailand. He developed his portraiture skills with his help and has exhibited his charcoal-based art at the Curt and Cathy Gallery and the KFT Gallery. In 2003 he was awarded second prize at a poetry competition held in Mae Tao (near Mae Sot). Presently, he works with watercolors.

Portfolio examples

Saw Win Tun factfile

Born:	1969, Rangoon
Started:	In childhood
Studied under:	U Lun Gywe, U Win Pe Myint, Saw Chu Cil
Education:	BA Geography, Rangoon University 1994
Occupation:	Artist with gems factory, Art Teacher
Favorite Medium:	Watercolour
Exhibitions:	Ban Thai, April 2005 ‘Local Artist Exhibition on Borderline’, June 2005 with KSNG ‘Life and Journey’, February 2005, Borderline Gallery ‘Anniversary’, August 2005, Borderline Gallery ‘Our Environment and We’ Two Men Show, November 2006
Membership:	Borderline Gallery