Saya Saung, ဆရာဆောင်(1898-1952) was a pioneer in Burmese art. He adopted Western watercolor techniques and gained fame for his stunning landscapes. While primarily known for these scenes, a small collection of portraits, around seven so far, has also come to light. became famous in Burma for his landscape works. He is less known for his portraits, about seven of which have surfaced in recent years. Saya Saung (1898-1952), major Mandalay painter. Studied under Ba Zaw. Heavily influenced by J.J Hilder. Did plein air works in the British Watercolor School style.

Uniquely, Saya Saung holds the honorific title “Saya,” meaning master, despite not following the traditional Burmese artistic path. This title is usually reserved for painters in the established Burmese style. Saya Saung’s origins in Mandalay, the heart of traditional art, might explain this exception. Even though he didn’t follow the rigorous apprenticeship system, his mastery of Western painting earned him the respect of his peers.

Saya Saung’s landscapes emerged on the art market in the 1990s, finding eager buyers in Burma. Further works surfaced in the UK after 2000, suggesting his popularity among British colonials during his time. These paintings predominantly depicted scenes from Upper Burma, featuring iconic landmarks like the Mandalay Palace and the Irrawaddy River. While landscapes dominated his work, the recent discovery of portraits hints at a broader artistic range. Dating these works remains a challenge due to the lack of signatures.