Eain Aye Kyaw passed away on Wednesday. I didn’t know him well, though I did know him a bit – mainly from running into each other in the Pansodan from time to time, very occasionally meeting in Nawaday Tharlar, and once or twice watching him at work in borrowed spaces. So I can’t say much about the man, beyond sensing a shy friendliness and warmth whenever our paths crossed. I can say something about the art. I still remember seeing the 2012 painting “Farm truck” hanging on the back wall of the Pansodan and falling in love with it. It was my second purchase from the gallery, my first purchase of anything by an artist then unknown to me, and it set me on an exciting journey that seems unlikely to end anytime soon. Along the way I’ve bought quite a few paintings by Eain Aye Kyaw – 33, in fact, one for each year of his life. I’m drawn to the slightly stylized manner in which they capture something both current and timeless about Myanmar. Eain Aye Kyaw possessed a rare talent. I’ll always regret that the life sustaining it was cut short so shockingly early.