Born : 24.12.1923 at Ma Gyi Dan ward, Sheinn Pa Karr Street, Pyapon, Ayeyarwaddy Division.
Parents : U Khant and Daw Tint.
Siblings : Fifth child among seven siblings.
Education : Passed the English- Myanmar 7th standard from Saya U Po Chit School.
U San Hlaing was interested in painting since young. But he could not buy pencils, brushes, paints and papers for practicing drawings because of his parents’ poverty. He used to practice drawing on the ground with a stick. He practiced like that again and again. Sometimes, he practiced on the floor and on the window panels.
Then he got a chance to study about paintings under Saya Hmat. In 1938, at the age of 14, he got contact with U Ba Tun (British Burma Films Company) and U Aung Zan (A-1 Films) by his elder brother’s connection. Then, he started drawing film poster and advertisements under the guidance of Artist U Khin Ohn.
Afterwards, he studied under Saya U Thein Nyunt who was an expert in both watercolor and oil paintings, also a well-versed in Myanmar Culture. He received the foundations of Traditional Myanmar Works from Saya U Thein Nyunt. Later, he continued studying under the well-known artist Saya U Ngwe Gaing and Saya U Hla Mg Gyi in Yangon.
Since at the age of 13 and 14, U San Hlaing earned money from painting. He had done odd jobs and from those he supported his parents.
“I worked once as a porter, selling newspaper etc., to earn money. When I got five kyats a month, I can send back those earnings to my parents”, U San Hlaing told one of the interviews.
Although he is a found of reading, he cannot afford to buy books due to his poverty. Therefore, he often visited to the library and making friends with the librarians to borrow the books.
He started joining the Burma Defense Army (BDA) in Pyapon when World War (II) spread to Myanmar. In 1943, his posting was at Yangon War Minister’s Office. He was on sentry duty at the guard post. Later, he was sent to Mingaladon Training Corps (1). He joined the Guerilla (1001) Forces and fought along with brigade (106O in the revolution against the Fascists. He took part in Yangon Conquest Fighting and Sittaung Plataue Fighting. After the war, he went back to Pyapon and continued painting as he used to. In 1946, he joined the armed forces again. He quitted from the armed forces about a year later.
He joined people’s Comrade Corps, which was led by General Aung San. He became the General Secretary of people’s Comrade Corps in Pyapon. After General Aung San and his colleagues were assassinated in 1947, he joined the Regiment (2) which is led by Officer Bo Min Gaung. He served almost a year as a port of sergeant. Later, he quitted and founded “San Hlaing’s Art Studio” in 27th Street, Yangon and became a professional artist.
In 27th. March. 1959, U San Hlaing received Maw Kun Win Award Grade (1) because of his sacrifices to the Burma’s independence. This award was given to 1513 persons and he was one of them.
He got married with Daw Tin Aung in 1947 and had eight children.
U San Hlaing’s Artistic Works
“San Hlaing’s Arts Studio” had founded since 1947, he started his career of drawing all kinds of works from textile painting to trade marks, designs, etc. At that time, the trademarks of popular Pwint Kaung Fish Sauce were designed by U San Hlaing and U Ba Yin Galay competitively.
Most of the film advertisements were drawn by U San Hlaing in the pre-war period. The sizes of those were about 8 x 6 feets and he also drew two-sided posters on the trolley.
Shows and Exhibitions
1956 : one-man show at Jubilee Hall, Yangon.
1958~59 : severed as a committee member at Burma Artist Union and a chairman was U Ba Khin.
1959 : one of his painting “Okkala San Daw Shin” became very famous at the Art Exhibition by
the Burma Artist Union @ Sarpay Beikmhan.
1963 : became an organizer at Art and Sculpture Council while Saya U Ohn Lwin was
a chairman.
(At the Poppa Peasants Seminar, Union Day at Mandalay, Kabaung Peasants Seminar, Chauk Workers
Day, etc.. the historical background posters were drawn by U San Hlaing).
1964 : served as an artist (first class) at Lanzin News Branch,
Education Department of Myanmar Socialist Programme Party, H/Q and
designed many insignias and emblems for the workers, peasants, youth organizations.
(The most prominent work is designing the National Flag.)