Kaung Kyaw Khine, a creative force hailing from the serene town of Sittwe, Rakhine, born in 1982 to a family deeply rooted in the arts. With a father who once wielded the brush as an art teacher and a mother who imparted knowledge as a school teacher, Kaung Kyaw Khine's journey into the realm of creativity seemed destined from the start.

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Upon completing his high school education, he embarked on a path paved with colors and imagination, enrolling in the esteemed halls of the Yangon State School of Fine Arts in 2003. Three years later, armed with brushes and boundless passion, he emerged as a graduate, ready to immerse himself completely in the world of art.

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Kaung Kyaw Khine's fascination with the resonant beats of the auspicious drums of Rakhine became the cornerstone of his artistic expression. His "Melodious Plane, and Still Motion" series stands as a testament to his profound obsession with these cultural icons. Through a masterful fusion of painting techniques and traditional Rakhine drumming and dance, he brings to life the vibrant spirit of his heritage.

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In his earlier works, he captured the essence of Rakhine tribesmen with intricate details and vivid colors, while his later pieces embrace expansive canvases, incorporating elements of Rakhine coin motifs and Anandasandra sculpture as backdrops to figures adorned in traditional attire, lost in the rhythmic reverie of drumming and dance.

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"Our Rakhine culture is incomplete without these drums," Kaung Kyaw Khine reflects. "I paint them out of a desire to share Rakhine traditions with others."

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Beyond his prowess with the paintbrush, Kaung Kyaw Khine is a virtuoso of the Rakhine drum, a passion passed down from his father. He now shares this legacy with a select group of enthusiasts in Yangon, ensuring that the rhythmic heartbeat of Rakhine culture continues to echo through the ages.

Kaung Kyaw Khine's art is not confined to canvas alone; it transcends into realms of poetry and performance, resonating with the historic beliefs of the Rakhine people. His "Memories of Mural" series embodies the teachings of Buddha and the pursuit of peace, reflected in tranquil hues and serene compositions.

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In his "At the Tea Shop" series, he captures the essence of Myanmar's social fabric, intertwining the lives of its people with the comforting embrace of communal spaces. Meanwhile, "Waiting For" series portrays the aspirations of those yearning for better prospects in the face of uncertainty.

With three solo exhibitions under his belt and a portfolio showcased in prestigious galleries from Thailand, Singapore, and Hong Kong to Paris, New Zealand, and the United States, Kaung Kyaw Khine's artistic odyssey continues to inspire and enchant audiences both at home and abroad, weaving tales of culture, tradition, and the timeless beauty of Rakhine.