GALERI PRIMA HOSTS DRAWING DEMO
45 people learn life-figure drawing from three top artists
THE New Straits Times Press’ art gallery, Galeri Prima, hosted its first life-figure drawing demonstration yesterday. Held in conjunction with the exhibition “Terrains of the Heart”, which features the private collection of Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, the demonstration was conducted by three well-known artists: Datuk Azman Yusoff, Jaafar Taib and Haron Mokhtar.
All three artists’ artworks were displayed at the exhibition.
The demonstration, which was open to the public, saw about 45 participants, mainly students from National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (Aswara), Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), as well as art enthusiasts.
Azman, who is also Selangor’s royal painter, said life-figure drawing was the most important skill artists should know and which would identify their own painting styles.
“Life-figure drawing for an artist is as similar as a singer having a concert.
“It is a ticket for artists to feel more confident with their skills and artwork.
“It allows them to look for themselves and identify their style and niche in paintings. This is the main reason why a life-figure drawing can fetch thousands of ringgit as it has a more aesthetic value to it,” said Azman.
He said most life-figure drawings would not greatly resemble the object or model as the drawing would be based on the artists’ sensitivities and style.
Galeri Prima manager Azlin Aziz said the inaugural life-figure drawing demonstration was to stir up a passion for art and drawing in the public.
She hoped to have more demonstrations such as this with collaborations with Malaysian painters.
“Terrains of the Heart” is open to the public until Oct 20. Admission is free.
The gallery is open from Monday to Friday from 10am to 6pm.