Ngwe Gaing  who worked in both oil and watercolor was born in Myeik and was raised in Dawei. Ngwe Gaing, Alinga Kyaw Swa (1901-67). Major painter of the Rangoon School in the post-WWII period. He was initially self-taught and then improved his skills via an American correspondence painting course. He was forced to work at a number of menial jobs until he was able to support himself as an artist. He was first taught by Poe Aung and later by Ba Ohn and Ba Sein, finally becoming a pupil of the famous artist Ba Nyan for three years, after Ba Nyan returned from England in 1930. Master of many media with wide range – historical paintings, religious, and mythological scenes, naturalist portraits, landscapes, still life. Painted in a realist style with impasto technique and strong Burmese color scheme. Traveled to England 1952 to copy Burmese art treasures in V&A and perhaps other museums. Received highest award for arts in Burma. He had great influence on the next generation of artists, and his works are now highly sought after.