18 – 31 October 2025
Lifescapes of Burma (Myanmar)
Art is a visual narrative that tells stories, allows self-expression, and offers different perspectives on the human experience. I have been telling stories about my own people for many years as a photographer and documentary film maker.
In 2019, I learnt and began painting, exploring another way of telling stories. All my paintings aim to represent life in Myanmar, capturing everyday scenes and people. I try to provide a window into the past as well as a view of the current reality in the country.
I travelled around Myanmar from 2015 to 2021 and met people in both urban and rural areas. For me, the countryside of Myanmar reflects the true spirit and culture of the nation. The lifestyle is a blend of natural beauty, agricultural practices, and long-standing cultural values.
When I was travelling in Myanmar, I brought my camera with me and took many photos, both landscapes and lifescapes. I focused on lifescapes because they go beyond likeness and into people’s daily life activities, revealing a rhythmic flow of activities and responsibilities that define our existence and who we are.
In Myanmar, daily life can vary greatly depending on geography, occupation, age and personal routines. Most people live simple lives, working as farmers, traders and craftsmen. Daily life in Myanmar is a colorful blend of tradition and spirituality mixed with the rhythm of rural and urban existence. Yet these elements are currently overshadowed by the significant hardship of ongoing conflict, natural disasters and immense displacement, which impact the livelihood and well-being of Myanmar’s people. For many, it can be a struggle to survive.
Despite these obstacles the people of Myanmar continue to endeavor to better their lives and, regardless of the difficulties, remain faithful to the routines in their daily lives so that hardship does not define who they are. Their lifestyle may be simple, but it is rich in culture, community spirit and deep respect for nature and tradition.
Sai Kyaw Khaing
b. 1961, Larnkho, Southern Shan State, Burma
Lives in Australia, Thailand, Burma
Studied Master of Media Art and Production at University of Technology Sydney, Australia, Certificate of film, television and Radio production at Randwich TAFE college Sydney, Australia, and Advanced Diploma of Photography at Canberra Institute of Technology, Australia. Mandalay University, Burma.
Exhibitions
2019 – Moon Art Gallery, Yangon, Myanmar
Fine Art Nude Photographs & Painting
2018 – Moon Art Gallery, Yangon, Myanmar
Fine Art Nude Photographs
2003 – Canberra, Australia
Photojournalism
Awards
Click in fear (The best Documentary)
The Art of Freedom film festival Yangon 2012
Lotus (Second Prize)
Nikon International photo contest 2012-2013
Strike with the beat (The Best Documentary)
VDP film festival Kyoto, Japan 2021
Gona Film Award, India 2021
