Aung Ko

born in 1980 in Htone Bo (Myanmar)

statement
bio / C.V.

"The themes of my paintings are based on the scenes of the water festival, but they also reflect the unstable situations of the global society today." AK

Beyond the thematic role of the village in Aung Ko’s practice, his expression is fully community-centric, his performances and installations tied to the village and its people through production and participation. Ideas about geographies, histories, and customs emerge, pieces charting place and time through gesture and relic, an art recalling the transience, hope, and illusion of existence. Yet these creations are not pictorial replications of a pocket of rural Burma, but rather distillates of its imagery, rituals and rhythms, which combined, build an art telling idiosyncratic stories, while also obliquely questioning the system and values dominating the country today.

Born in 1980 in Htone Bo, Myanmar, Aung Ko studied Fine Art Painting at the University of Culture, Yangon. He exhibited in the group show "DEEP S.E.A. Contemporary Art from South East Asia", at Primo Marella Gallery, Milan (2012), "Artist Beyond Boundaries" at The American Center in Yangon (2017) and many others exhibitions in Asia.

Solo Exhibitions (selected):

2022

I am Ko Shwe, Primo Marella Gallery Lugano, Switzerland

2021
Fundraising exhibition: Diary from the Dark, Diary of Hope ! by Aung Ko, Myanmar

2017
Diary from the Dark, Chan + Hori Contemporary, Singapore, SG

2013
Solo show, River Gallery, Strand Hotel, Yangon, MM

2011
Aung Ko's Village by Aung Ko, MM
Esplanade Presents Visual Arts, Visual Art Space, SG

2008
New Zero Fine Art Show, Beikthano Art Gallery, Yangon, MM

2006
New is No News, Nm Gallery, Yangon, MM

2004
Aung Ko's Art Work Solo Show, Azada Gallery, Yangon, MM

Group Exhibitions (selected):

2022
Documenta Fifteen, Kassel, 2022
S.E.A. CALLING. Bestrizal Besta - Aung Ko - Nguyen Thái Tuan, Primo Marella Gallery, Milan

2017
Artist Beyond Boundaries, The American Center, Yangon, MM
Mekong new mythologies, Hong Kong Arts Centre, HK

2016
10/10 Anniversary Exhibitions, River Gallery, Yangon, MM
Beyond the Source, PUN + Prodject, Gothe Villa, Yangon, MM

2012
DEEP S.E.A. Contemporary Art from South East Asia, Primo Marella Gallery, Milan, IT
Blue Frogs, Dagaung Art Gallery, Yangon, MM
Riverscapes IN FLUX, Goethe Institute, Hanoi, Saigon, Bangkok, Phnon Penh, Giacarta, Manila, ID

2011
4th Thuye'dan Village Art Project, Thuye'dan Village, Pyay, MM

2009
4th Fukuoka Asian Art Triennale, Fukuoka, JP

2008
Beyond Pressure, International Performance Art Festival, Yangon, MM
Beyond the Rain Art Exhibition, Lokanat Gallery, Yangon, MM

2007
Wild Eye V, Lokanat Gallery, Yangon, MM
8th Open International Performance Festival, Beijing, CN

2006
Exp: 22022001 Group Show, Lokanat Gallery, Yangon, MM