Gazing Solo Art Exhibition by Than Kyaw Htay

Gazing is a series inspired by the artist’s journey to Shan State in 2007, where he observed the everyday lives of the Pa-Oh people—recognizable by their colorful turbans and deep connection to the land. Through striking portraits set against quiet rural backdrops, the works reflect a powerful sense of stillness, isolation, and endurance.

Figures are often shown from behind or gazing into the distance—gestures that speak to the country’s ongoing political uncertainty and the sense of being turned away from the world. The vivid colors and warm outlines used in each piece carry a sense of longing and fragile hope, even amid hardship.

These paintings also reference the continued struggles of ethnic minorities in Myanmar, shaped by conflict and instability. By combining expressive color with textured techniques—scratched through the paint in homage to Van Gogh—the artist brings depth and movement to scenes that are both personal and political.

Gazing captures a quiet resistance and the enduring spirit of a people looking forward, even when the path ahead remains uncertain.