Wunna Zaw Bio

My name is Wunna Zaw and I was born in Yangon, Burma in 1979.

I left my home in Rangoon during 2002 to seek a better livelihood for myself and my family that I left behind in Burma. Whilst in Mae Sot I found work as a commercial artist with the G.S Art Company, producing gem stone pictures for the Thailand and overseas markets. It is here that I discovered a genuine passion for art and became interested in developing my own work.

Soon afterwards, I was introduced to Nay Thit, a well known local artist who had previously exhibited at Borderline. For many months Nay Thit acted as my mentor, teaching me about composition, colour, texture and light. I experimented with a number of mediums before finding my niche with acrylic and watercolour paint.

I have learned a great deal from my own artistic journey, and now share this with children local migrant schools, teaching art classes, allover Mae Sot. In addition I give private art classes and occasionally have assignments to make illustrations for publications. One project was to cycle across town to draw scenes to be used for a locally produced map of Mae Sot.

My main motivation now and in the future, is to help other refugee people. I want to represent our stories, memories, hopes and dreams within my work and by doing so remind the outside work of our struggles.

I am thrilled to be able to share my own work and that of my fellow artists with you here at Borderline.

Mae Sot, September 27, 2015

Wunna Zaw

Wunna Zaw factfile