U M. Tin Aye

U M. Tin Aye (1901–1977), a prominent Burmese artist, followed in the footsteps of his teacher, the renowned watercolorist Sayar Saung, known for his skill with bright colors. After World War II, he studied under Sayar Saung and later became an instructor at the State School of Fine Arts, teaching watercolor. In 1957, U M. Tin Aye received a scholarship to study modern art in Munich for a year. He collaborated with U Thaung Han on a large painting about Myanmar’s agriculture in 1963, presented to the World Health Organization in New Delhi. He continued his studies in stage design and painting in West Germany in 1964 and traveled to England and Italy in 1971. In 1975, he served as the art director for a state culture troupe performing in Japan and became the headmaster of the State School of Fine Arts in 1977. He also chaired the Myanmar Traditional Artists and Artisans Association before his passing. U M. Tin Aye is recognized for revolutionizing watercolor painting by promoting the use of more water, color, and bigger brushes.