Channel News Asia;Handicapped man in Myanmar skilled in painting inside of bottle
Win Aung Sein
Posted: Channel News Asia,08 March 2004 1011 hrs
Handicapped man in Myanmar skilled in painting inside of bottle
By Asean News Exchange
YANGON : A man in Myanmar who is unable to use his right hand is gaining
fame for his expertise in painting the inside of a glass bottle.
But his handicap has by no means limited his ability.
It is definitely hard work - creating intricate glass paintings.
Imagine the precision needed to paint the inside of a bottle.
The first glass bottle paintings were said to have appreared in China at the
beginning of the 19th century.
And most artists painted on the outer surface.
Very few had the patience to create a masterpiece on the inside of the
bottle.
But that is exactly what Myanmar's first glass bottle artist excels in,
despite his disability.
U Nyo Lay, 65, suffered from polio ever since he was a child.
And following several unfortunate accidents throughout his life, he also
lost the use of the lower part of his body and his right hand.
But this has not stopped him from producing intricate art pieces.
In fact, he says, learning the art of glass bottle painting saved his life.
His multiple misfortunes caused him to be depressed.
But after reading about glass bottle painting in 1964, he was so impressed
that it has since given him a reason to live.
"Bottle art depends on the subject that is to be painted. It takes at least
15 days to finish one bottle. Unlike ordinary painting, glass bottle
painting is done in reverse style," said U Nyo Lay.
He has produced over 1, 400 pieces of bottle art and is now a world-renowned
artist. - CNA