On June 10, Khin Maung Yin, one of the most admired and influential leaders of Burma’s modern art movement, died at the age of 76 from throat cancer. The painter was famous for his colorful paintings and portraits, as well as his eccentric character. In a 2010 biography, author Ma Thanegi describes Khin Maung Yin as: “more artist than man. He dismisses luxury or material possessions as superfluous.” Khin Maung Yin is considered to have led Burma’s modern art movement, together with artists including Win Pe and Paw Oo Thet and Khin One.

On June 12, New Delhi-based artist Amar Kanwar was named winner of the 2014 Leonore Annenberg Prize for Art and Social Change, an annual award that recognizes artists whose practice promotes social consciousness and an engagement with causes that advance equity and justice. The internationally acclaimed artist and social activist is known for his intricate video essays, which are developed from documentary practices and explore critical socio-political issues of the Indian subcontinent.

Melissa Chiu, current Director and Senior Vice President for Global Arts and Cultural Programs at Asia Society Museum in New York, has been named as director of The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington, DC, after museum’s previous director, Richard Koshalek, announced his resignation over a funding controversy one year ago.

On June 7, Seoul-based architect Minsuk Cho received  this year’s prestigious Golden Lion award at the 14th Venice Architecture Biennale 2014 for the Korean Pavilion.