Han Min Zaw Wirth: My Painting Journey

Han Min Zaw Wirth grew up in (Burma) Myanmar, in a small town close to the seashore on the Bay of Bengal. His father left the family when Han was 6 months old and his mother raised him with the help of her family. They lived in their grandfather’s home where his aunt, who is a schoolteacher, and his uncle who has Down's syndrome, resided. His aunt and uncle were major influences on his life. They helped provide a stable home environment and taught him the importance of family, patience, education, persistence, and hard work to achieve his goals.

Han Min Zaw Wirth attended high school and then college and was awarded a bachelor’s degree in electrical power engineering and also, graphic design. His last employer was Mobiconnetworks Co.Ltd, as a Telecommunications Engineer. He negotiated land locations for towers and also climbed the telecommunication towers. Yes! Like those on Red Mountain in Birmingham, AL.

In 2018, Han decided to begin painting full-time to improve his watercolor skills. He studied under Master Myat Tun Aung, a professor at Yangon Fine Art University. He worked as a commission artist doing portraits, landscapes, florals, still life, wildlife, and seascapes.

“Burma At Work” was the painting that brought his watercolor artwork onto the international art scene. He was invited to participate in the” Art Connection Mondiale Exposition d'Aquarelles," (UNESCO World Heritage Site) in Albi, France, and Warsaw, Poland. The exposition invited only 2,000 watercolor artists from around the world to participate.

Han was one of the ten watercolor artists who received the coveted award of title Master Watercolor Artist. His painting was also selected to tour with 19 other award-winning artists and 20 internationally known watercolor artists in France and Poland in 2022. Han Min moved to Birmingham after marrying Daniel Wirth in 2023, and Han will continue to pursue his love of painting here in Birmingham.

Han left Myanmar and a career in technology to become a professional artist and his traditional watercolor paintings continue to evolve. Since moving to Birmingham, his current work reflects his fondness for Birmingham Botanical Gardens and the wonderful varieties of flowers and plants, especially the waterlilies.